MANILA, Philippines - Police arrested a Chinese businessman for possession of a cache of high-powered firearms during a raid in Las Piñas City, before dawn Wednesday.
Director Leocadio Santiago, Metro Manila regional police chief, identified the suspect as Herbert Tan Tiu, 43 of Barangay Talon 3, Las Piñas City.
Santiago said intelligence operatives raided Tiu's house around 12:35 a.m. and seized a cache of firearms including 14 units of Indonesian-made 5.56mm assault rifles, 102 magazines for 5.56mm assault rifles, a Glock 9mm pistol and 2 magazines; 45 pieces of ammunition for 9mm pistol, 10 gun holsters and an ammunition case.
The regional police chief said that they are still investigating the possibility that the arms cache is part of a failed smuggling of firearms in Mariveles, Bataan last year.
He said that each assault rifle amount to P200,000 and its price could increase in the black market.
A complaint for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition is being prepared against the suspect.