Police entrapment nets two suspected gunrunners

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By Jennifer P. Rendon

Two men were apprehended for alleged gunrunning during a midday police sting on April 10 in Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo.

Wilson Cenal, 52, a Bantay Dagat member, and Nelson Delmo, 56, a caretaker, both of Barangay Talisay, fell into police custody after transacting with an undercover buyer.

The sting operation, aimed at curbing the circulation of unregistered firearms, was a joint effort by the Regional Intelligence Division, the Barotac Nuevo Municipal Police Station, the Iloilo Police Provincial Office-Provincial Intelligence Unit (IPPO-PIU), Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams, and the 602nd Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion.

During the operation, the suspects allegedly exchanged an M16AI rifle with ammunition and a .45 caliber pistol, complete with a magazine and bullets, for PHP 25,000.

Seized in the sting were an M16AI Elisco rifle (serial number RP184213), ten magazines with 110 rounds for a 5.56mm rifle, a .45 caliber Norinco pistol (serial number 0874011246), and four rounds for a .45 caliber pistol.

Cenal reportedly claimed ownership of the rifle by way of his late uncle, adding that he used it for patrol duties.

The suspects are currently being held and face charges under the Republic Act 10591, also known as the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.