MANILA — What was supposed to be a simple traffic violation due to an unauthorized use of a blinker by an SUV surprised members of the PNP Highway Patrol Group last Friday in Paranaque City.

The HPG discovered guns and explosives inside the vehicle that they stopped at the Filipinas Avenue, leading to the arrest of two suspects.

The Mobile Team 706 of HPG’s Special Operations Division was conducting intensified traffic direction and control, anti-carnapping, and plate spotting 1:40 p.m. when a black SUV was stopped due to multiple traffic violations.

According to PBGen. Eleazar Matta, Director of PNP HPG, the SUV was stopped for having no rear plate, using a blinker without authorization, and failing to show OR/CR documents upon inspection.

When HPG officers searched the vehicle, they found a Glock 19 pistol, three bullet-proof vests, deadly weapons, suspected C4 explosives, and other suspicious paraphernalia.

“Bakit siya may dalang c4, may bullet vest na tatlo ready for confrontation di ba? Prepared, under investigation pa ang lahat kaya we are thankful also na ang Interpol, may international engagements na din ang kaso,” Matta said.

 The police arrested two suspects, identified by their aliases as JJ and Lito.

Meanwhile, another SUV acting as backup and believed to be carrying four suspects escaped.

According to Amb. Markus Lacanilao, Special Envoy on Transnational Crime, alias JJ previously escaped from a Pasay City entrapment operation last year, where three suspects were arrested for extortion using the name of First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos.

He was masquerading as a Cabinet undersecretary, using a fake plate with protocol number 12.

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“Ito yung mga tao na nagpapanggap na konektado sa First Family at nanghihingi sa mga negosyante sa Cebu ng pera para sa approval or continuation ng kanilang negosyo nila like sa medical, emission,” Lacanilao said.

"Apparantely may mga nabiktima siya na nasa government din, ganoon sila ka-notorious kasi wala sila pinipili."

The suspects were also involved in land-grabbing issues in Bulacan, said Lacanilao.

The special envoy on transnational crime is alarmed by the suspects’ possession of explosives.

Lacanilao said he would seek help from the National Security Council to pursue a more in-depth investigation.

“Nagsimula siya sa pag-scam talagang ginagamit niya ang pangalan ng first family para manghuthot ng pera sa mga kababayan natin, baka nag-evolve siya sa mas malalim na criminal activities ngayon may dala-dala siyang explosives, talagang 'yun ang medyo seryoso,” he said.

Alias JJ chose not to give a statement, but his companion, alias Lito, strongly denied the accusations.

“Wala po kaming ginawang masama, bahala na po si Lord sa kanila, nadamay lang po ako,” alias Lito said.

He denied having any relation to the First Family.

The two suspects were charged at the Offices of the City Prosecutor of Paranaque and Quezon City with violations of Republic Act 10591 or Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition, Republic Act 9516 or Unlawful Possession of Explosives, Batas Pambansa Blg. 6 or Possession of Bladed, Pointed, or Blunt Weapons, Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code or Resistance and Disobedience to a Person in Authority, Article 178 or Concealing of True Name, Presidential Decree 96 or Use of Unauthorized Blinkers, and Obstruction of Justice.