OPERATIVES of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested a dismissed Marine soldier who sold a loose firearm to a poseur buyer in Amlan town in Negros Oriental last Sunday.
CIDG Director Brig. Gen. Romeo Caramat named the suspect as Rickyvelle Espe Luces, 28, a resident of Silay City in Negros Oriental, who dismissed from the Marine corps in 2016.
Luces was nabbed at around 3 p.m. Sunday during a buy-bust operation conducted by personnel from the CIDG’s Negros Oriental Provincial Field Office in Purok Acacia, Barangay Tandayag in Amlan town.
He was nabbed in the act of selling an unlicensed M14 rifle with a scope and a tripod bolt to the poseur buyer.
Also seized from him were two M4 rifles, an M16 rifle, hundreds of ammunition, 21 magazines, a sniper rifle, and four plate numbers.
Operatives also found in Luces’ possession a folder with a sketched map believed to be that of Siaton, Negros Oriental.
Police investigators are preparing a case against Luces for violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
Caramat said the operation was conducted under Oplan Paglalansag Omega, a campaign against loose firearms.
“The CIDG is serious in the implementation of our mandate. We will never cease to exhaust all efforts to suppress the sellers and buyers of illegal or unlicensed firearms that can be used in any criminal activities,” said Caramat.
