MANILA: Police in the Philippines say they may have foiled a plan to assassinate President Rodrigo Duterte, after intercepting weapons that were allegedly being smuggled into the country as part of the plot.
Parts for nearly a dozen high-powered firearms were being slipped into the country as part of the mission, one of the arrested suspects said at a press conference on Thursday.
Wilford Palma, the detained illicit arms dealer, told reporters on Thursday that assorted weapons parts for 5.56 millimetre assault rifles were being slipped to the country from the United States over the last two years using a parcel courier service registered with the Philippine government — Atlas Shippers International Incorporated. The company ships boxed consolidated cargo, or so-called “Balikbayan” boxes, from the US.
“There were previous deliveries from the US which were facilitated through Atlas Shippers International Incorporated, involving the delivery of 104 different major component parts and 298 minor component parts for 5.56 rifles, accessories, and bullet proof vests,” police director-general Rolando dela Rosa said at the press briefing where Palma laid bare details of the arms smuggling operation.
