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Wednesday, January 11, 2006
'Balik Baril' targets to recover 1T loose firearms
By Jonathan P. Pilla
VALLADOLID -- The newest "Imlan Balik Baril" program of the police here is targeting to recover about 1,000 loose firearms, bulk of ammunitions and even hand grenades.
The town's police chief Senior Inspector Rico Santotome said an estimated 1,000 loose firearms are still to be collected all over the town.
Based on their monitoring, Santotome said almost all households here have firearms, which they use for protection - for their lives and their properties.
But that is not the catch, Santotome said they have received information that there are manufacturers of homemade guns in their area of responsibility.
We are now doing an intensified campaign to put a stop on this illegal business, the town's police chief stressed.
Santotome was elated by the turn-out of their IBB program that resulted to the turn-over of 14 assorted firearms and one hand grenade in the span of a few weeks since its launching last year.
With this the Provincial Police Director Senior Superintendent Charles Calima Jr. visited the town's police office and led the distribution of certificates of recognition to those who voluntarily surrendered their guns and the hand grenade.
They were Jonathan Urda of Barangay Bagumbayan for surrendering his homemade shotgun with ammunitions; Joan Peñas of Barangay Bagumbayan - 12 gauge homemade shotgun; Bonifacio Villaruel of Barangay Bagumbayan - one homemade caliber .38 revolver, 12 gauge homemade shotgun and ammunitions; Edwardo Tambanillo of Barangay Doldol - one homemade .38 caliber revolver; Antero Estrabon of Barangay Poblacion - one homade pistol; Ireneo Nealpes of Barangay Lacaron - one .22 caliber; Abraham Dolorfo of Barangay Lacaron - homemade 12- gauge shotgun; Jerry Dela Cruz of Barangay Lacaron - one homemade 12-gauge homemade shotgun; Elvis Biaco of Barangay Bagumbayan - one homemade 12-gauge shotgun and Hernan Hermosa of Barangay Sagua Banwa - one homemade 12-gauge shotgun; Bonifacio Castaños of Barangay Alijis - one homemade shotgun with one magazine of ammunitions; Rizaldy Vergara of Barangay Sagua Banwa - one .38 caliber revolver; Darryl Taroballes of Barangay Bagumbayan - one magnum .357 revolver and Felizardo Manglantay of Barangay Paloma - one hand grenade.
IBB was launched on Dec. 22, 2005.
Santotome said all firearms were unlicensed.
He said all who surrendered their firearms and ammunitions will not only receive certificate but also incentives that they could use in their daily living.
Mayor Ricardo Presbitero Jr., on the other hand, was so happy of the turnout of the campaign. Presbitero likewise hailed the participation and support of the members of their Municipal Council, barangay captains, council members, tanods and purok officials.
The mayor further encouraged their people to surrender their unlicensed firearms now before it can become potent sources of any form of violence.
The mayor aims at making the town a "Gunless Society" in Negros Occidental soon.
In response, Calima also thanked the Dolidnons for their support to the IBB.
"I am very happy about the campaign. I hope this will continue still with all your support, the provincial police director said in his speech.
In return, Calima gave five M16 armalite rifles to the police as their reward for an effective campaign against loose firearms.
Meanwhile, Presbitero also expressed support on the provincial police office's newest program called "Vision 1 in 6."
(January 11, 2006 issue)
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