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Aug 28, 2009

Indonesia Weapons Smuggled to Philippines - Vivanews

VIVAnews - Philippines’ security officers held cargo boat ‘Capt Ufuk’ carrying 50 Pindad-made SS1-V1 weapons in Bataan on Thursday, August 20. Besides the weapons, there were also several military equipments found on the boat.

Spokesperson of Foreign Affairs Department, Teuku Faizasyah, said there was indeed a boat with a Panama flag on raided by the Philippino Navy. He also said they were investigating on whether or not the chests discovered on the boat were coming from Indonesia.

“Later we would ask the government of Philippines if there are any Pindad-made weapons being marketed. For your information, weapon sales in Philippines are legal,” Faisazyah said at the Foreign Affairs Department office in Pejambon, Jakarta on Friday, August 28.

The Department, he added, has received a clarification. “They said the weapons were being transported to Mali. Because there has been such confirmation, it is the related party (Pindad) who is now competent to explain,” Faizasyah said.

According to him, Philippines and Pindad have agreed to do weapon transactions. Does that mean the weapons found in Philippines are legal? “We haven’t received any explanation from Philippines,” Faizasyah answered.

Not only finding Pindad weapons and military equipments, Philippines’ officers also discovered 10 empty wooden chests. The contents of the chests were allegedly taken out before the raid.

“We are focusing on investigating the contents. They are suspected to be high explosive weapons which are feared to have been handed over to terrorists or any other criminals,” Bataan Head of Police, Insp. Manuel Gaerland as quoted by Manila Bulletin.

Meanwhile, customs intelligence, Dino Tuason suspected the weapons would be used by an international weapon seller syndicate to supply guns and ammunition to terrorists and criminals in Asia and Africa.

There is also another speculation. “The weapons may be used in the attack during the coming elections in Philippines,” Tuason said.