By LEILANIE ADRIANO
(UPDATED) Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte—Four Chinese nationals carrying high-powered arms and improvised explosive devices were arrested on Tuesday evening at a police checkpoint here.
Police filed charges against Dennis Co, Dang Hoi Yin, Lui Xin and Lei Guang Feng for unlawful possession of firearms and explosives under Republic Act No. 9516, a non-bailable offense. The suspects were also charged for violating the election gun ban, which is still in effect until June 12.
The suspects are now in the Ilocos Norte Provincial Jail.
On May 28, the four were spotted at a gasoline station in Barangay Nagsanga. They were there for an hour when one of them suddenly threw a bottle of energy drink for still unknown reasons.
The management of the gasoline station reported the incident to the police who tailed the suspects’ vehicle.
At the Barangay Davila checkpoint, police recovered from the suspects at least three sub-machine guns, two .45cal. handguns, three 9mm, four silencers, eight grenades, 68 live .45 ammos, over 100 9mm ammos, improvised explosive devices, and various car plates.
The suspects, who have been in the country for a month now, failed to present any permit to carry high-powered arms.
Through an English interpreter, the Mandarin-speaking Chinese nationals from mainland China vehemently denied the accusation, saying they were not aware they had those high-powered arms, ammos, and explosive devices in the car.
With the ongoing rift between China and the Philippines, Laoag Immigration Chief Paul Versoza said the Chinese nationals allegedly involved in an organized crime group operating in this northern part of Luzon will be treated accordingly and fairly.
Last week, 40 Chinese and 12 Taiwanese nationals were arrested for carrying several electronic and computer gadgets and accessories in Mom’s courtyard in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur.
Police have filed charges against them, including the owner of the resort where the foreign nationals set up several cubicles for their telecommunications and computer gadgets.
A few days ago, on May 27, police in Currimao, Ilocos Norte confiscated various electronic and computer gadgets found in rooms rented by two Chinese nationals, Lio Chi Wey and Jack Lim Chan, in Green Nipa Resort, Salugan village.
Police found two laptops, two mobile phones and two flash drives in at least two rooms.
Senior Inspector Don Abrilla Acacio, officer-in-charge of the Currimao municipal police station, reported that on Monday they assisted the National Bureau of Investigation in enforcing search warrant operation 13-21804 in violation of Republic Act No. 8484, Access Devices Regulation Act of 1998.