Government agents have seized 28 parcel shipments of smuggled firearms, gun parts and accessories worth P1.5 million at the Central Mail Exchange Center in Pasay City.
Officials of the Bureau of Customs at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport did not give details on the importations, but they said the shipments were consigned to various individuals, adding those came mostly from the United States and arrived at the CMEC on different dates.
They said the items were confiscated because those were imported without the required permit from the Firearms and Explosives Office of the Philippine National Police.
The seized items will be turned over to the bureau’s Enforcement and Security Service-Firearms and Explosive Office for safe-keeping pending seizure and forfeiture proceedings.
Port of NAIA district collector Carmelita Talusan says they will stay focused to protect the premier airport against all fraudulent and illegal attempts to import high-risk commodities amid the coronavirus disease pandemic.
“We will continue to be vigilant against the smuggling of high-risk items like firearms, parts and accessories aside from dangerous drugs and other contraband,” Talusan said.