A TOTAL of 205 loose firearms were turned over by 16 local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental to the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo) Monday, March 4.
The assorted loose firearms were turned over by the LGUs' officials to Police Brigadier General John Bulalaco, director of Police Regional Office (PRO)-Western Visayas, along with Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, Provincial election supervisor Milagros Salud Villanueva, Police Colonel Romeo Baleros, director of Nocppo in rites held at the Nocppo grounds.
These LGUs are Bago City, Cadiz City, Escalante City, Himamaylan City, La Carlota, Sagay City, San Carlos City, Talisay City, Calatrava, E.B Magalona, Isabela, Manapla, Moises Padilla, Murcia, Pontevedra, and Toboso.
Nocppo also presented to Bulalacao the 25 high-powered firearms which was earlier turned over by the New People’s Army in Sagay City.
“These are formerly licensed firearms, but have been classified as unlicensed because they failed to re-register their firearms. It will be returned to them as soon as they can show to us the renewed license for these firearms,” Bulalacao said.
He said in previous years, the LGUs purchased these firearms for their civil security units.
“I am happy that our local officials here surrendered the unregistered firearms. Your action is ended a manifestation of your sincerity to help us achieve a peaceful midterm elections this coming May,” he added.
Bulalacao noted that since they launched the “Tokhang Kontra Guinadili-an nga Pusil” campaign, they recorded a total of 9,104 firearms with expired licenses and confiscation of 563 others in various police operations in Western Visayas.
“I am hopeful that the public will continue to support on our campaign and to make the upcoming midterm elections the safest and the most credible of its kind,” Bulalacao said.
Moreover, Bulalacao lauded the accomplishment of the Philippine Army and Nocppo for the success of localized peace talks and negotiations in Negros Occidental where 25 members of NPA returned to the folds of the law in Sagay City.
“It’s a positive manifestation on their part that they really want to help and to achieve the peace and order in the region,” he said. (MAP)