高中同學變成"軍火販"

無意發現在菲律賓的同學Benjo Ramos去年六月因販賣私槍被抓．

我和Benjo高中畢業後，很長一段時間沒聯繫，只在最近看他出現於facebook而互相加入好友．印象中他也是個軍武迷，待人友善，雖然愛玩但是在校並不是什麼頑劣份子．下面這篇菲國國家調查局的新聞稿屬實的話，倒是令人意外他會走上這條路．

菲國法律不同，警方可以大剌剌的用上entrapment這個字眼．在美國這特指執法人員設局引誘原本沒有犯罪動機的人民去犯罪．結果通常是不起訴．

http://www.nbi.gov.ph/news/62008.htm

June 20, 2008

A cache of high powered firearms were seized and the alleged gunrunner was arrested by agents of the National Bureau of investigation (NBI) during a buy-bust operation in a Makati City condominium the other day.

NBI Director Nestor M. Mantaring identified the suspect as:

BENJAMIN JOSEPH RAYMUNDO RAMOS, a resident of 16 Perea St., Unit 22, Mayfair Mansion, Legazpi Village, Makati City;

Investigation by the National Capital Region (NCR) headed by Atty. Edward Villarta, disclosed that on June 17, the NBI received information from an informant that a certain “Benjo”, later identified as the above-named suspect, was selling guns in Makati City. Ramos introduced himself as an arms dealer and offered a caliber .9mm Beretta at a discounted price of P20,000. It has no serial number as he boasted said gun was smuggled into the country from Italy.

On even date, an NBI undercover agent, posing as a Security Agency owner together with the informant, met Ramos at the coffee shop of the Mayfair Mansion where he was staying. The latter showed three (3) Beretta .9mm handguns with no serial numbers, and could also supply the ammo at low cost. He also said he had an assortment of collector’s items of rifles at his residence. He offered an MP5, stun grenades and sniper rifles. The undercover agent told the suspect that she would return the next day for the payment of the pistols and the long arms which she was interested to buy.

At the appointed time and date, (June 18), an entrapment was planned. The group of NBI agents went to Ramos’s place. Thereupon, the undercover agent with a driver and bodyguard, (also NBI agents) met him at the condominium’s parking area where Ramos was waiting. Meanwhile, NBI agents were strategically deployed in the vicinity. During the meeting, Ramos showed the boxes containing fifty (50) pieces of Beretta pistols with no serial numbers.

After loading the boxes of guns to the agent’s vehicle, Ramos invited them to his condo unit and showed his collection of firearms for sale. He offered to sell an HK MP5 assault rifle for P200,000.00 and a Ruger .22 caliber rifle for P15,000. The undercover operatives agreed to buy the assorted rifles in addition to the purchased Beretta. Thereafter, the bought guns were brought down and Ramos asked for the payment. While he was counting the money, the undercover agent texted her companions who rushed to the condo unit. Introducing themselves as NBI agents, Ramos was arrested and brought to the NBI where he is presently detained.

Seized were 50 Beretta .9 mm caliber pistols with no serial numbers, and 11 assorted firearms (list attached) Verification made with the Firearms and Explosives Division disclosed that the suspect is not an authorized distributor/dealer of any kinds of firearms.

Charges for violation of PD 1866 as amended by RA 8294, Section 1, (unlawful manufacture, sale, acquisition, disposition or possession of firearms or ammunition or instruments used or intended to be used in the manufacture or firearms or ammunitions) were filed against the suspect before the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office.

Assorted firearms seized:

1. Fifty (50) Beretta .9mm caliber pistol with no serial numbers
2. HK MP5 assault rifle with SN YU002851 HH
3. Ruger .22 caliber rifle with SN 126-74368
4. HK USP compact .45 auto with SN 29-009189
5. HK USP tactical.45 auto with SN 25-084758
6. German Luger 1940 12 with SN 5312
7. Luger 22 with SN G000828
8. Glock 17 9mm with SN LNP668
9. Walther 22 Caliber with SN G009180
10. Browning 12 gauge shotgun with SN 02343PM211
11. Remington 870 shotgun with SN B577429M
12. Colt M-4 with SN 090167