Truck driver nabbed for ‘gun smuggling’

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

 

BACOLOD City – Authorities arrested a delivery truck driver for allegedly transporting firearms from Cebu to Bacolod via Danao port in Barangay Old Poblacion, Escalante City, Negros Occidental last Saturday.

Arrested was Janito Chua, 53, of Barangay La Granja, La Carlota City.

Police Major Gil Despi, city police chief, said Chua was driving a wing van truck loaded with hog feeds to be delivered in the province when he was allegedly caught with a .45-caliber pistol at a checkpoint.

Despi said police then searched the vehicle for other contrabands and found three boxes containing seven .45-caliber pistols, 15 magazines, and four live ammunitions.

Despi said they will verify if the guns were covered with valid licenses.

Chua initially denied the allegations against him, but later told the police that it was his third time to transport guns into the province.

Despi believed that the suspect might have done it a couple of times already, adding that he might have a supplier from Cebu.

Despi said they strengthened their security measures at the port, adding that aside from contrabands, they are also checking illegal entry of locally stranded individuals (LSIs) from Cebu who might ride delivery trucks to enter the province.

He said charges for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition will be filed against Chua.