CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – The Philippine National Police in Central Luzon has not yet determined if the 50 Galil assault rifles smuggled through a foreign vessel accosted in Bataan on Thursday are to be used for a terror or coup plot.
“We are still trying to find that out. What is clear now is that the high-powered firearms were undeclared cargoes,” Chief Supt. Leon Nilo de la Cruz, chief of the regional police, said in a phone interview from Camp Olivas here.
Initial reports by the police showed that MV Capt. Ufuk was accosted by the Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Customs and PNP as it anchored off the shores of Mariveles, Bataan at 3 p.m.
Originating from Turkey, it went to Indonesia, passed through Bataan before proceeding to Batangas.
The police, PCG and the Bureau of Customs held the captain, identified as Lawrence John, and his 13 crew at the Port of Mariveles.
The captain is said to be a native of South Africa while the crew members are mostly Georgians.
Authorities found the 50 high-end rifles and assorted military accessories “hidden” in five wooden crates, according to the police’s report.
Each rifle costs P300,000 each, De la Cruz estimated. Authorities also found 15 empty wooden crates.
“We are still trying to find that out. What is clear now is that the high-powered firearms were undeclared cargoes,” Chief Supt. Leon Nilo de la Cruz, chief of the regional police, said in a phone interview from Camp Olivas here.
Initial reports by the police showed that MV Capt. Ufuk was accosted by the Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Customs and PNP as it anchored off the shores of Mariveles, Bataan at 3 p.m.
Originating from Turkey, it went to Indonesia, passed through Bataan before proceeding to Batangas.
The police, PCG and the Bureau of Customs held the captain, identified as Lawrence John, and his 13 crew at the Port of Mariveles.
The captain is said to be a native of South Africa while the crew members are mostly Georgians.
Authorities found the 50 high-end rifles and assorted military accessories “hidden” in five wooden crates, according to the police’s report.
Each rifle costs P300,000 each, De la Cruz estimated. Authorities also found 15 empty wooden crates.
