The Philippine National Police provincial command confirmed yesterday that some of the firearms seized from a businessman last Friday were government-issued.

The businessman identified as Anthony Ramos Ho, 33, is now detained after he waived his right to preliminary investigation.

He identified a certain police officer as the possible owner of one of the seized firearms and explosives. PNP provincial director, Sr. Supt. Melvin Ramon Buenafe, identified the businessman's close friend as PO1 Celis who is presently detailed with the Explosives and Ordnance Division in Camp Fernandez, Agan-an, Sibulan, Oriental Negros.

Buenafe said they will investigate why government-issued firearms and explosives were with Ho.

Confiscated during the raid conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation were six rifle grenades, three hand grenades, one plastic case of hand grenade, a carbine rifle, one Smith and Wesson .357 magnum revolver, one MK colt .45 pistol, one carbine magazine, two single stack magazines, a colt M16 rifle, a Colt M4A1, one 9mm Beretta pistol, two 9mm Beretta magazines, one Beretta box, one Elisco M16A1 receiver, a butt of an M16 rifle, one rail, three barrels, a slide bolt, 436 rounds for .556 caliber ammunition, 50 rounds for .30 caliber (carbine) ammunition, 25 rounds for .45 cal ammunition, and 40 rounds for .380 caliber ammunition.

Buenafe said it is possible that some of the firearms were pawned to the businessman. The seized firearms were subjected to ballistic examinations to determine if they had been used in crimes, and to forensic tests to find out if they were tampered, Buenafe added.*JG

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