‘Oplan-Katok’ nets 328 firearms in Caraga

AUTHORITIES have seized a total of 328 guns in Caraga region since the gun ban started earlier this year.

Of the 328 firearms now kept safe in police vaults, 45 of them were surrendered by political aspirants.

The 328 gun owners holding expired licenses for their guns responded to the police’s Oplan Katok, a program of the Philippine National Police where authorities conduct house-to-house visit to firearm holders, urge them to get new permits, and have these guns stored in police vaults for safekeeping while permit is not yet ready.

Police Brigadier General Gilberto DC Cruz, Police Regional Office-Caraga director, had repeatedly warned gun owners to turn-in their firearms to nearest police stations pending the application of License to Own and Possess Firearm (LTOPF) at Regional Civil Security Unit (RCSU).

Pursuant to Section 19 of Republic Act 10591, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act: “All types of licenses to possess a firearm shall be renewed every two years. Failure to renew the license on or before the date of its expiration shall cause the revocation of the license and the registration of the firearm/s under said licensee.

The registration of the firearm shall be renewed every four years. Failure to renew the registration of the firearm on or before the date of expiration shall cause the revocation of the license of the firearm. The said firearm shall be confiscated or forfeited in favor of the government after due process.

“We want to ensure a safe, peaceful and orderly conduct of 2019 mid-term elections. These 328 surrendered firearms mean 328 less firearms in the street which might be illicitly used in the commission of crime,” Cruz said.

“If gun owners will not surrender their firearms, the PNP will apply a search warrant against the registered gun owner and file appropriate charges in court,” Cruz added.