MANILA, Philippines – When cops arranged for a buy-bust operation on alleged arms suppliers of rebel groups in Mindanao, they never expected to find the bullets inside boxes issued for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Their catch has startled the most senior generals of Camp Crame, with even police chief Director General Oscar Albayalde saying that the military should be “concerned” about the seizure.

The ammunition was found inside wooden boxes labeled “AFP,” “GOVERNMENT PROPERTY,” and “PHILIPPINE ARMY.”

Nonetheless, they moved forward with presenting the evidence on Monday, December 17— even without speaking in length with their colleagues at Camp Aguinaldo.

According to the alleged gunrunners, they got the equipment from a “retired soldier” who used to be based in major military camp Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija.

Cops refused to name the soldier, veering away from making an unverified announcement.

The Philippine National Police currently suspects that the guns and bullets from the AFP’s armory were either smuggled out in batches by a former serviceman, or someone from among the suspects had a connection with an active officer. 

Here are photos from the presentation:

– Rappler.com