The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Bicol Regional Office discovered high-caliber firearms in Libon, Albay after a former member of a criminal group surrendered to authorities.
In John Consulta’s Monday report on “Saksi,” an exclusive video acquired by GMA Integrated News showed that authorities discovered some M16 rifles and a magazine full of bullets in a plastic drum after they dug in a mountainous area.
More high-powered firearms were discovered in a house also in Libon.
The firearms were found after the surrender of a former member of the Gilbert Conception Criminal Gang, a group that operates in Bicol and CALABARZON.
In January 2024, their leader was killed in Parañaque during a police encounter.
The former member is facing 10 charges, including murder, kidnapping with murder, kidnapping with serious illegal detention, and kidnapping.
He said he was not involved in the big murder scheme that, at times, led to the beheading of the victims.
“Sobrang laki ng pagsisi ko na sumama ako sa Gilbert Conception group dahil sobrang pagod ng dinanas ko sa bundok dahil sa bundok kami natutulog,” the former member said.
(I really regret joining the Gilbert Conception because I was exhausted from what I experienced in the mountains, because we were sleeping there.)
Authorities have discovered 12 bodies of the victims so far.
The NBI said it will continue with its investigation in the hopes of finding the bodies of other victims. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/LDF, GMA Integrated News
