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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider As PNP probes into source of guns in Degamo killing, ex-soldier nabbed for selling assault rifles in Negros Or. 

As PNP probes into source of guns in Degamo killing, ex-soldier nabbed for selling assault rifles in Negros Or. 

Published Mar 7, 2023 02:02 am
The Philippine National Police (PNP) appeared to have been given a hint as it investigates the source of the high-powered firearms used in the killing of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo following the arrest of a former soldier who was caught selling long firearms in the same province.  On Monday, March 6, PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin, Jr. said local investigators are now extracting information on the source of the high-powered firearms that were confiscated from the gunmen who were arrested after the killing of Degamo on March 4.  Civilians have no access to high-powered firearms and in the case of the four people tagged in the killing of Degamo and eight others in the daring attack at the governor’s house in Pamplona town, at least two of them were dismissed soldiers. “I am very particular about the make and the serial number of the firearms because we wanted to trace, we want to conduct backtracking as to the source of these firearms,” said Azurin. Among those seized were five assault rifles and two B40 (rocket-propelled grenades with five rounds of ammunition. “Who sold them these because these are the things that the PNP should have control,” said Azurin. The official earlier said that the four arrested suspects in the Degamo killing are now starting cooperating with the investigators. The official said gun dealers should ensure that only legitimate people should be able to purchase high-powered firearms. But based on the police operations in the past, high-powered firearms are usually sold secretly. In its recent successful operation for instance, operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested a former soldier after he was caught selling high-powered firearms in Amlan town of Negros Oriental on Sunday, March 5.  The suspect was identified as Rickyvelle Espe Luces, who was dismissed from the Philippine Marine Corps in 2016. Police Brig. Gen. Romeo Caramat said Luces was arrested in a buy-bust when one of his men managed to deal with him for the purchase of high-powered guns. Seized from him were two M4 rifles, an M16 rifle, and magazines and bullets for long firearms.  
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