Man carrying guns arrested at Manila airport

A 23-year-old man was arrested by security personnel of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) after he was found in possession of two firearms on Friday.

Airport security personnel presents the two caliber 45 firearms confiscated from John Russ Palacio Tanagon

Combined elements of Airport Police, Airport Intelligence and Philippine National Police-Special Operations Unit of the Aviation Security Group responded to the NAIA airport in full battle gear after the driver of a white Toyota Grandia van refused to surrender to authorities two caliber .45 firearms found in his vehicle’s compartment.

Head of Airport Police Lt. Edgar Isaac said the suspect was identified as 23-year-old John Russ Palacio Tanagon, a resident of 29 Mt. Everest St., Batasan Hills, Quezon City.

Isaac said security guards Nathaniel Agnis and Roelo Gonzalez of Lockheed Security, who was manning the checkpoint area, apprehended the suspect when they saw the firearms.

Russ John Palacio Tanagon

Tanagon, who allegedly introduced himself as an employee of the Supreme Court, refused to open his car window and door when the guards asked for a permit for his guns.

Authorities then had to negotiate with Tanagon’s mother, who had just arrived from abroad, to open the vehicle and surrender the firearms.

After more than three hours, the suspect and his lawyer opened the vehicle and surrendered the firearms.

Authorities confiscated Tanagon’s guns after he failed to present documents.

As of posting, charges were being prepared by airport officials against Tanagon.--Source: ABS-CBN News