A total of 85 high-powered firearms, including assault rifles and machine guns, were confiscated by authorities from a Taiwanese national who is allegedly a member of a notorious syndicate based in Taiwan, in Makati City on Thursday, Dec. 12.
The Southern Police District (SPD) identified the suspect as alias “Zhang” and “Ming,” 50, a businessman.
Zhang/Ming was arrested inside a mall in the city by the Station Intelligence Section of Makati City Police Station, in coordination with the CIDG-NCR and Makati City Police Substation 5, following the service of a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Eugene Conti Paras, Presiding Judge of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 58, Makati City.
The warrant was issued on July 4, 2023 for charges under Criminal Case No. 23-01703-05, with recommended bail amounts of P200,000 for Section 28 (b), P80,000.00 for Section 28 (f), and P100,000.00 for Section 28 (h) of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition.
The search, authorized by Judge Rico Sebastian Liwanag of Makati City, resulted in the confiscation of numerous firearms, including 53 revolvers, 13 5.56mm assault rifles, 12 pistols, six folding machine guns, an FN P90 sub-machine gun, a gun kit, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, assorted magazines, three suppressors, and four pistol barrels.
According to authorities, the suspect was reportedly involved in illegal activities such as the production of illegal narcotics, telecom fraud operations, and other criminal enterprises operating in the Philippines.
In March 2023, a search warrant operation was conducted by the CIDG operatives in the suspect's apartment, but they were not able to capture him. However, police said four other undocumented immigrants were arrested.
The suspect is currently detained at the Makati City Custodial Facility.