PCG: A Zamboanga Customs police who went onboard MV Kerstin 2 as one of the passengers was apprehended by the Coast Guard and local authorities in Zamboanga on February 25, 2015 for illegally possessing firearms.

The suspect was identified as Romel Talbangsa, 43 years old.

Upon disembarkation from the said vessel, Talbangsa was found to be carrying M16 A1 rifle with serial # 165175 and loaded with 22 live ammos; .45 caliber pistol with serial # C143230, loaded with eight live ammos; and .38 caliber pistol with serial # 936376 loaded with five live ammos.

The said apprehension resulted from an intelligence report from Coast Guard Station Bongao that one of the ship’s passengers was carrying firearms from Tawi-Tawi to Zambaonga City.

Joint elements of CGS Zamboanga, Field Station South Western Mindanao (FS SWM), CG K9 Unit South Western Mindanao, Police Station-11, Naval Intelligence Service Group (NISG) and Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) conducted an entrapment operation and successfully apprehended Talbangsa upon his disembarkation from the ship.

The confiscated firearms were turned-over to ZCPO for proper investigation and inquest proceedings.

MV Kerstin 2 is a passenger cargo/vessel of 637.97 GT/241.60 NT, owned.operated by Aleson Shipping Lines and skippered by Captain Joel Mendoza.