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Philippines

Ex-Army soldier with sniper rifles, ammo nabbed in Antipolo checkpoint

Philippines

Ex-Army soldier with sniper rifles, ammo nabbed in Antipolo checkpoint

By Nel Andrade

The Antipolo police is investigating the possible involvement of a former military officer in criminal incidents in the city after he was arrested along with two other companions in a checkpoint Wednesday with guns and ammunition.

(Photo from Antipolo Police Facebook page/ MANILA BULLETIN)

Antipolo Police Chief Lt. Col. Joey Arandia said the suspect, Achilles Francisco Gerona of Cavite is under probe after two high powered sniper rifles, a .45 caliber pistol, and several bullets, including SF109 bullets reportedly used by snipers, and several blunt instruments were found in the vehicle he was driving when flag down by elements of the Antipolo Police and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group of the Philippine National Police in a checkpoint in Barangay Dela Paz, Marcos Highway.

Arandia said Gerona was a former Army officer who was reportedly dismissed from the service after he was jailed in 2010 for attempted murder. Police tagged the suspect as an alleged hitman of the Gerona Brothers group.

Several loads of ammunition including several high powered green tipped SF-109 bullets were found by police in the suspect’s vehicle. Two of his companions were also arrested and are also being investigated. They are now facing charges for violation of Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act and Republic Act 4136 (Land Transportation and Traffic Code.

The office of Mayor Andrea Bautista Ynares commended the police for the arrest of the three suspects in the city government’s Facebook page.

“Maraming salamat po sa ating magigiting na mga pulis na laging alerto, (Thank you to the heroic policemen who are always alert),” Ynares said in her post.

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