Blue guard nabbed for ‘gunrunning’ in Iloilo City

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A security guard was arrested for alleged gunrunning activity on the afternoon of July 25 in Mandurriao, Iloilo City.

Stephen Brito, 35, of S7S Security Agency, was caught during a police entrapment operation at Barangay Q. Abeto, Mandurriao.

Members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) – Iloilo City Field Unit, along with the Iloilo City Police Station 5, apprehended the suspect after he sold firearms for PHP 66,500.

Brito, a resident of Barangay Rizal Pala-Pala 1, City Proper district, Iloilo City, allegedly sold two .45-caliber pistols and a .38-caliber revolver to a police poseur buyer.

During the entrapment operation, reports said the suspect was wearing a security guard uniform and was onboard an armored vehicle.

Recovered during the operation were a .45-caliber pistol (serial number 127501), another .45-caliber pistol with markings M1911A1 US Army (serial number 318472), a .38-caliber revolver, two steel magazines, ammunition, security guard ID cards, a backpack, a mobile phone, and the armored vehicle.

Police also seized a 12-gauge shotgun found inside the vehicle.

The suspect allegedly sold the .45-caliber pistol for PHP 30,000 and the .38-caliber revolver for PHP 7,000.

Brito has remained silent about his supplier.

The suspect is now detained and will be charged with violating Republic Act 10591, the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.