OPERATIVES of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) seized 85 firearms owned by a Taiwanese allegedly involved in criminal activities during a raid in Makati City last Monday night.
Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. and PNP officials presented the seized firearms during a press conference at the PNP national headquarters at Camp Crame yesterday afternoon.
The Taiwanese, identified as Jiang Zhang Xiadong, alias Liu Ming Chung, was not around when policemen swooped down on his apartment in Rockwell, Makati City at around 6:10 p.m.
The operatives were armed with a search warrant issued by Makati City Judge Rico Sebastian Liwanag.
Seized during the operation were 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.
Abalos said Xiadong is a member of a “notorious syndicate” in Taiwan “engaged in the production of illegal narcotics, telecom fraud operations, and other illegal activities in the Philippines.”
Abalos said Xiadong is associated with four other Taiwanese apprehended by authorities last March 1 also in Makati City. The four — Wu Jheng Long, Chen Chien-ning, Yang Zong Bao, and Chun-yu Chen — are said to be members of a syndicate wanted in Taiwan and are set to be deported, according to the CIDG.
“These Taiwanese fugitives are considered undocumented aliens and illegal entrants in the Philippines, and their presence in the country is deemed as a serious security threat,” said Abalos.
Abalos also relayed President Marcos Jr.’s commendation to the PNP “for the strong manifestation of keen responsiveness to this priority action of government to take away all instruments of crime, violence and oppression from the hands of unauthorized individuals.”
CIDG Director Brig. Gen. Romeo Caramat Jr. said initial investigation showed the firearms were acquired by Jiang from various individuals in the Philippines.
Caramat said they have the names of the original owners of the seized firearms but declined to identify them pending an ongoing investigation.
“We don’t know if they (Xiadong and his cohorts) were going to smuggle these firearms to Taiwan. We are looking into that,” said Caramat.
Caramat said the CIDG is preparing a case against Xiadong for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
“Based on PNP records, he is not a registered owner of any firearm here in the Philippines,” said Caramat.
Asked whether the suspect is still in the country, Caramat said: “I cannot divulge (his exact whereabouts) but I can assure you that our men on the ground are tracking him down right now.”
