DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/30 October) — A passenger bound for Manila on Friday morning was arrested inside the F. Bangoy International Airport after he was allegedly found bringing two pieces of live ammunition in his baggage.
The suspect was identified as Augusto Dagan Y. Dorde, 60, married, a resident of 1980 Damacara St., Quezon City.
Based on the report of the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group-Aviation Security Unit 11, Dorde was scheduled to board PAL flight PR 1814 bound for Manila at around 11:40 a.m. when he was arrested after his baggage passed through the initial screening check point.
After noticing an image of ammunition in his luggage, security screening officer Arell Mark M. Villareal called PO
3 Glenn Jay F. Galon who arrested the suspect for violation of Presidential Decree No. 1866, as amended by Republic Act 8294.
RA 8294 penalizes “illegal/unlawful possession, manufacture, dealing in, acquisition or disposition of firearms, ammunition, or explosives or instruments used in the manufacture of firearms, ammunition or explosives, and imposing stiffer penalties for certain violation.”
In a text message, Chief Insp. Eugene Balugo, chief of F. Bangoy International Airport’s Police Station and PNP Aviation Security Unit 11, said the suspect was detained at the Sasa Police Station but he was released in the afternoon of the same day after he posted bail.
“We are continuing to enhance the security system at the airport most especially ngayon Undas kasi naka full alert kami (we are on full alert for Undas),” he said.
Last month, Ian Maxwell, 58, an Australian national, was arrested at the airport for alleged possession of a disassembled and unlicensed .38 caliber pistol.
“We are constantly conducting background check sa personnel working here as well as to the PNP personnel. So far, there is no such case here at the Davao airport. Hopefully and God forbids,” Balugo said.
He was responding to questions on the possibility that Dorde was a victim of the so-called “Laglag Bala” gang that reportedly preys on passengers at the airport in Manila. (Antonio L. Colina IV/MindaNews)
