British man arrested in Pasig City with huge haul of weapons

Pasig City
Investigations are continuing into why Marney was in possession of a cache of weaponry. It has already been confirmed that he did not have a licence to carry firearms in the Philippines

A British man and a Filipino, believed to be his employee, were arrested in Pasig City for possession of five handguns, ammunition and a cache of other weapons.

Matthew George Marney, aged 38, and Rommel Catilo, 45, were nabbed yesterday at the Briton’s home in an upmarket subdivision, police said today (Friday, November 24).

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The operation was conducted by the police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) anti-transnational-crime unit, which worked with a search warrant, a CIDG statement said.

It added that officers found five .45 calibre pistols with 25 bullets, 14 bladed weapons, five brass knuckle-dusters, a slingshot, stun gun and other paraphernalia at the 125,000 peso-per-month residence.

Inquest proceedings were filed at the Pasig City prosecutors’ office today, the statement said.

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Superintendent Roque Merdegia, who led the raid, told the Guardian that the unit had received a tip-off from somebody who had reported seeing armed men at Marney’s home. An investigation showed that Marney did not have a licence to carry firearms in the Philippines.

“We were surprised to discover five short firearms. That’s not normal,” Supt. Merdegia said.

He added that it was a “priority” case and the police would liaise with British embassy to check if Marney had a criminal record.

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“Right now, considering that there is martial law in Mindanao, it is quite alarming to arrest a foreign individual with a lot of firearms,” said Merdegia.

Marney’s LinkedIn profile says he moved to Manila in 2015 to help “over 2,500 Middle Eastern investors to purchase off-plan property in Manila as well as over 50 others to set up businesses in the best locations”.

Police investigations are continuing.

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