ARMED FORCES of the Philippines (AFP) Chief-of-Staff Benjamin R. Madrigal, Jr. on Tuesday said initial investigation indicates that the firearms seized from a couple allegedly supplying firearms to rebel groups in Mindanao are not part of the military inventory. “Actually, I’ve talked also with the Commanding General of the Army tapos (then) Army logistics people. Definitely (the) firearms are not part of our inventory,” he said in a message to reporters. The ammunitions, on the other hand, are under further probe. A couple identified as Edgardo O. Medel and Rosemarie R. Medel were arrested by the police along the North Luzon Expressway in Valenzuela City on Sunday evening. The police were able to recover from the couple three firearms and more than 13,000 rounds of ammunitions contained in boxes labelled “Government Property,” “Philippine Army,” and “AFP.” AFP Public Affairs Chief Col. Noel Detoyato, in a statement, said, “While we can already confirm that the captured firearms are not in our inventory, only a thorough inventory of our ammunition stocks will confirm whether there are losses in our stocks that could have fallen to the hands of these gunrunners.” Mr. Detoyato added that the AFP is not discounting the possibility that there are “unscrupulous” individuals in their ranks. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

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