IN LINE with the enforcement of Commission of Election (Comelec) gun ban, the Police Regional Office in Davao (PRO 11) has recovered a total of 172 loose and undocumented firearms with the arrest of 142 persons during their operations from January 13 to April 13.

In a press conference Monday, April 15, at PRO 11 headquarters in Camp Sgt. Quintin Merecido, PRO 11 Regional Director Marcelo Morales presented the seized firearms as the result of the 113 police operations.

Aside from guns, also recovered were 17 grenades, 16 other explosives, 1,525 ammunition, and 35 bladed or pointed weapons.

Police also reported that 20 died in an armed encounter between the suspects and the police.

“We, in the PNP together with the AFP and Comelec, still on continuous lengthy discussions on the different electoral process that will take place this May, our continuing efforts against loose and undocumented firearms in accordance with Republic Act 10591 and the nationwide gun ban imposed by Comelec that has taken effect since January 13,” Morales said.

Those violators, who are facing charges for their violations, were arrested through a series of implementation of search warrants, checkpoint operations, drug busts, and police response.

Their accomplishments are expected to increase with the continued implementation of Oplan Dabaw Kalinaw, intensified conduct of Philippine National Police (PNP) Comelec checkpoint/chokepoint operations, police visibility, and other continuous focused police operations.

Aside from siezed firearms during police operations, there are also a total of 519 unlicensed firearms, four IEDs/grenades and 665 ammunition which were surrendered for safekeeping to their nearest police stations during their Oplan Katok.

During Oplan Katok, a gun holder with an expired license is advised to apply for renewal.

Morales said 96 politicians have surrendered their firearms including one who is running for mayor. Others are running for councilors or provincial board members. But he did not disclose the identities of these politicians.

All confiscated firearms were endorsed to PNP Regional and Provincial Laboratory for ballistic examination.