A 69-year-old Filipino man has been arrested for allegedly planning to carry out a mass shooting at a Florida Islamic center.

Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams announced today that police arrested 69-year-old Bernardino Gawala Bolatete after he tried to buy a gun silencer from an undercover officer.

Police began investigating Bolatete after receiving a tip from a confidential source that Bolatete was planning a mass shooting at the Islamic Center of Northeast Florida.

Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams announced today that police arrested 69-year-old Bernardino Gawala Bolatete (pictured)

Courtesy of WJXT

An undercover officer contacted him and arranged the sale of the silencer. During taped conversations, Bolatete repeated his plans for the shooting.

A complaint says Bolatete went to shooting ranges with the undercover police officer several times during the investigation, reports Action News Jax.

Officials claim that he expressed hatred for Muslims and made threats to shoot up a mosque when they met.

He was arrested Friday after the silencer was delivered.

It is claimed that Bolatete told an officer he was a 'range master' in the Philippines and that he was shot over a dispute about a parking space.

The report suggests that Bolatete told the undercover officer he shot and killed the officer.

Regarding the alleged plot, the report added he said how he planned to get up into the tower at mosque in Jacksonville.

He claimed to have five rifles and it is said he told the man he did not intend to survive the attack.

Bernardino Gawala Bolatete (pictured) allegedly tried to purchase a gun silencer from an undercover officer

The criminal complaint said Bolatete added: 'I just want to give these freaking people a taste of their own medicine, you know? They are the ones who are always doing these shootings, the killings.'

Williams said Bolatete already had the weaponry necessary to carry out the attack.

Bolatete is being held by the FBI and more charges could be filed. It was not known if he has an attorney.