Air Force captain nabbed for allegedly selling sniper rifle
The Philippine National Police Maritime Group 3rd Special Operation Unit (PNP MG 3rd SOU) arrests an active Philippine Air Force captain for allegedly selling a sniper rifle in a buy-bust operation in Pasay City on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. (Photo from the PNP MG 3rd SOU)
MANILA, Philippines — An active Philippine Air Force captain was nabbed for allegedly selling a sniper rifle in a buy-bust operation by the Philippine National Police Maritime Group 3rd Special Operation Unit (PNP MG 3rd SOU) in Pasay City.
In an interview at Camp Crame on Friday, 3rd SOU Commander Maj. Marlo Gabato told reporters that one of the unit’s intelligence officers discovered the captain supposedly selling the sniper rifle online for P1.2 million.
According to the 3rd SOU’s report, the poser-buyer met with the suspect and an accomplice, the latter two bringing a sedan and a sports utility vehicle (SUV), in front of a casino in Pasay City on Thursday evening.
“Nung nagkaroon na ng transaction, kukunin na yung baril, nakahalata yung suspek natin. Biglang sinara (the trunk) at nagkaroon ng komosyon,” Gabato said.
(When there was a transaction, the gun was about to be sold, the suspect found us out. He shut the trunk and there was a commotion.)
Article continues after this advertisementDuring the ruckus, the second suspect fled with the sedan, carrying the sniper rifle to be sold.
Article continues after this advertisementHowever, the first suspect was caught, and the SUV was inspected by authorities, who discovered a Glock 17 pistol with 14 rounds of live ammunition and an Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) identification card belonging to another Air Force captain.
“The recovered firearm is believed to be government-issued, subject to further verification,” the 3rd SOU report said.
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Further, according to Gabato, the suspect could not present a certificate of authority for exemption from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) gun ban.
“Kanina, vinerify namin sa FEO (Firearms and Explosives Office), itong Air Force captain na ito ay mayroong siyang record sa FEO na nagmamay-ari siya ng more than 50 firearms sa record,” Gabato explained.
(Earlier, we verified with the Firearms and Explosives Offices that this Air Force captain has a record with the office that he has ownership of more than 50 firearms.)
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The suspect faces complaints for violations of the Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act in relation to the Omnibus Election Code.
