THE Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) has intensified its campaign against loose firearms, leading to the recovery of unlicensed firearms during a search warrant operation in Sitio Bolo-bolo, Barangay Capalasanan, Lazi, Siquijor, on February 12, 2026.
The operation also led to the arrest of a suspect identified as alias “Patet,” 61, Cambugahay falls swing operator and a resident of the said village.
Lieutenant Colonel Joem Malong, chief of the PRO-NIR Public Information Office, said operatives of the Lazi Municipal Police Station raided the suspect’s house by virtue of a search warrant for violation of Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
Police recovered from the suspect one caliber .45 pistol, one caliber .45 steel magazine, four pieces of live ammunition for caliber .45 pistol, one caliber .38 revolver, and five pieces of live ammunition for caliber .38 revolver.
Malong said the operation was initiated following information received from a concerned citizen alleging that alias “Patet” had been publicly brandishing a firearm and had reportedly discharged it at dogs, posing threat and fear among the neighborhood.
She said police operatives conducted casing and surveillance operations to validate the report.
"Subsequent firearms verification confirmed that the subject was not a licensed firearms holder. Based on these established facts, an application for a search warrant was filed and was thereafter duly issued by the court," she added.
Malong noted that PRO-NIR affirms its uncompromising stance against the illegal possession of firearms and all forms of criminality that threaten public safety.
She said the Regional Police Office will continue to strengthen intelligence-driven and legally grounded operations, relentlessly pursuing offenders while upholding the rule of law.
"Through sustained and decisive enforcement actions, PRO-NIR remains fully committed to preserving peace and order and safeguarding the lives and property of all communities across the Negros Island Region," she added. (MAP)