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Philippines

Gun for hire leader, two cohorts operating in Tarlac and Pampanga arrested in buy-bust

Philippines

Gun for hire leader, two cohorts operating in Tarlac and Pampanga arrested in buy-bust

By Liezle Basa Iñigo

CONCEPCION, Tarlac -- A leader of the notorious Randy Ponce gun for hire group and two others were arrested in Brgy. Talimundouc San Miguel in Concepcion town on Monday, August 8, a police report said.

The Tarlac Police identified the leader as Randy Ponce, 45; and his two cohorts, Paulo Evangelista, 43, and Arman Maniacop Sr. 44.

Both Ponce and Evangelista are residents of Brgy. San Juan Baño, Arayat while Maniacop Sr. is a native of Lacquios, Arayat of Pampanga.

Police said the Randy Ponce gun for hire group had been operating in Tarlac and Pampanga.

According to a report by Police Lieutenant Colonel Reynold Macabitas, Chief of Police of Concepcion Police, his personnel conducted a buy-bust operation in Brgy. Talimundouc San Miguel, Concepcion, Tarlac that resulted in the arrest of the gang’s leader and his two cohorts.

The group was caught in the act of selling one cal. 45 Norinco 1911 with a magazine loaded with four ammunition to a police officer who acted as firearms buyer in exchange for P5,000.

Recovered from the leader was the marked money and one hand grenade while recovered in the possession of his two cohorts were one cal. 45 Norinco 1911 with magazine loaded with five ammunition, one cal. 45 Armscor with magazine loaded with three ammunition and two hand grenades.

The suspects and the confiscated evidence were brought to Concepcion Police for documentation and proper disposition.

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