Suspect who allegedly fired guns during ‘jungle training’ to face complaints

A suspect who allegedly fired guns during so-called jungle survival training in Nagcarlan town in Laguna is set to face weapons complaints.

According to Emil Sumangil’s exclusive report on “24 Oras” on Tuesday, authorities responded to complaints by Barangay Tapacan residents that suspect Vicente Conejos and his companions were indiscriminately firing guns in the locality.

Recovered from Conejos’ vehicle were assault rifles, shotguns, live ammunition, tactical vests, military uniforms, and two-way radios.

GMA News had sought comment from the suspect but has yet to respond as of posting time.

But in his explanation to the police, he said they were in the area training in jungle survival.

“Okay naman sana po yung survival training lang. Kaya lang po dun sa request nila wala naman silang sinabi na may live firing, at saka hindi naman po firing range 'yung area na 'yun,” Laguna Provincial Director Police Colonel Randy Glenn Silvo said.

(It’s okay for them to conduct survival training but their request said nothing about live firing. The area was not a firing range either.)

“Meron po silang letter request sa local government ng Nagcarlan at sa ating Nagcarlan Municipal Police Station na mag-conduct po sila ng jungle survival training. Hinanapan natin siya ng authority to posses 'yung firearms wala po siyang mapakita na papel,” he added.

(They have a letter requesting the Nagcarlan local government and Nagcarlan Municipal Police Station that they would train in jungle survival in the area. We asked for their authority to possess firearms but they cannot present one.)

Conejos will be charged for violating the Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, according to the report.

“Pinapa-check po natin ngayon 'yung mga M16 kung saan po ba naka-issue ito. Kung government firearms po ba ito. Nakikipag-coordinate po tayo sa firearms and explosive office ng CSG plus doon sa Armed Forces na rin po,” said Silvo.

(We are checking where the M16s were issued and, if these are government firearm. We coordinated with the Firearms and Explosives Office of the CSG and the Armed Forces.) — Sundy Locus/DVM, GMA Integrated News