AN ARMY man was arrested after he was caught with a cache of firearms while he was about to board a Mindanao-bound ship in barangay San Sebastian, Samboan town, southern Cebu.
Police said the firearms seized from Sgt. Charlito Cordivilla James were estimated to cost at least P80,000.
James, 33, is a native of Dumanjug town, Cebu. He was on his way to Surigao del Sur where he is assigned in the Fourth Scout Ranger Batallion.
It was Ricky Sablan, manager of Lite Shipping Corp. who sought help from the Samboan police after James was held by security guards.
PO3 Sepjanrey Roda said that as James was about to board a vessel bound for Dapitan last Monday night, he presented an identification card to two security guards identifying himself as an officer of the Philippine Army.
James also disclosed to the security guards that he was carrying three KG9 machine pistols and three .45 caliber pistols. The guns were turned over to the ship’s second officer for safekeeping.
James was later caught carrying more firearms when the security guards checked his bag which contained five KG9 machine pistols with silencers, two .45 cal. pistols and seven .22 cal. revolvers.
The security guards held James when he failed to present documents allowing him to transport the firearms.
Roda said James claimed he was just asked by his friends to buy the firearms in Danao City, northern Cebu.