Police in Negros Oriental have confiscated 781 illegal firearms since the start of this year, an official said on Wednesday, August 20.
Lt. Stephen Polinar, spokesperson of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office, said the campaign against loose firearms is one of their priorities in curbing criminality in the province.
“We have conducted 650 operations across the province, which resulted in the seizure of 671 unregistered and improvised firearms and the arrest of 35 personalities,” Polinar said.
On the other hand, 88 operations under Oplan Katok also resulted in the voluntary turnover of 117 firearms by their owners for safekeeping, pending the renewal of their licenses and registration, he added.
Of the total undocumented firearms recovered, 490 were improvised, while the rest included handguns and rifles.
Polinar said the arrested individuals were suspects in the commission of a crime with the use of a firearm.
Four others are at-large, but cases have already been filed against them.
He said they are intensifying the campaign against loose firearms with the help of the community, who have first-hand information on individuals bearing these weapons.*PNA