Authorities arrested two men and confiscated a pistol and parts of two rifles in Camarines Norte on Wednesday morning, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.
Acting on intelligence reports, police flagged down the suspects aboard a white pick-up while in Santa Elena town, Camarines Norte province, the PNP said in a statement.
‘Upon inspection, authorities discovered a hidden compartment near the chassis area containing parts of an M16A1 rifle, including its upper receiver, lower receiver, and barrel; a caliber 9mm pistol without a serial number; a magazine for the same firearm; and several front sights believed to be for M16 rifles,’ the police explained. The PNP neither identified the arrested suspects nor explained what the firearm components were supposedly for.
However, it did detail that the arrested suspects were taken into the custody of the Camarines Norte Provincial Highway Patrol Team.
Both suspects will face charges for violating Republic Act No. 10591 or the Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.