Gunrunning suspect claims customer ordered parts for Duterte ‘assassination’

A suspect in the smuggling of gun parts on Thursday revealed an assassination plot against President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

Translation: “My boss said his number one customer has ordered lower end gun parts to be used for the assassination of President Duterte”.

Speaking in Filipino, Palma told a press conference yesterday that the buyer is a regular customer who purchased the gun parts early last month.

However, Dela Rosa refused to identify the buyer who allegedly to the suspects that his group was assembling powerful weapons to “assassinate” Duterte even before he won by a landslide in the May 16 presidential election. Reports said drug lords are behind the supposed contract killing, but Dela Rosa did not divulge names.

Because of the revelation, Chief Supt.

Moya said they are contemplating the filing of counter-charges against the CIDG.

Mr. Duterte’s son, Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Z. Duterte, said that while they are always on their toes and ready to protect themselves if attacked, he admitted that he requested extra security for his children.

He said the gun part and accessories are packed in balikbayan boxes which do not usually undergo customs strict inspection.

He said licensed gun stores were also among the suspects’ clients. Roel Obusan (right), head of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, present Wilford Palma (center), member of an alleged group of gun smugglers said to have been tapped to supply firearms for a plot to assassinate the President.

“The modus operandi of this group is using fictitious names and false documents in claiming the packages with the contraband of different firearms component parts which are bought in the USA and shipped to the country through the use of legitimate global cargo forwarders”, said Obusan. The gun parts were shipped to customers using local courier services.

“Dapat pumunta sila dito at isurender nila yung binili nila kung talagang honest victim sila (They should come and surrender what they bought if they really are honest victims)”, Dela Rosa said.

Dela Rosa shared that the United States Homeland Security provided them valuable information on the activities of the syndicate which have contacts in the United States who send the gun parts.

“If they would not do it, then we will run after them because it is very risky that these accessories land on the hands of civilians”, said Dela Rosa.

At least 23 people who reportedly transacted with Ta-ala and Palma, including nine who voluntarily surrendered or appeared before the Major Crimes Investigation Unit of the CIDG, have expressed willingness to cooperate with the investigation, the PNP said.