Abandoned bag inside bus yields firearms

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 21): Abandoned bag inside bus yields firearms

A bag left inside the compartment of a provincial bus containing several firearms and ammunition, was intercepted at the Task Force Davao checkpoint in Licanan, Lasang, Davao City Monday.

The firearms were discovered during an inspection when the bomb-sniffing dog sat on the bag prompting Task Force (TF) Davao to ask for assistance from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team, which used water disruption, making sure any explosive device not to function.

Davao City Police Office (DCPO) spokesperson Sr. Insp. Ma Theresa Gaspan said the bag was placed inside the Bachelor Bus bearing plate number WOY113 coming from Tagum City heading to Davao City.

Gaspan said the bag contained seven caliber .45 pistol with six empty magazines and one UZi sub machine gun with three magazines and silencer.

Based on initial investigation, Gaspan said the bus actually came from Tacloban. The bus driver, Marcos Aninon, said he only had two stops during the travel – in Tacloban and Lipata, Surigao, where they accepted cargoes.

Aninon said he had other stops but only to unload cargoes. As this developed, the bus passengers were brought to the Bunawan Police Station for questioning. Of the 27 passengers based on the number of ticket issued, only 26 passengers appeared.

The police are now on the look-out for the 27th passenger.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1006969