PNP to run after loose firearms
By the last quarter of last year, Police Regional Office (PRO) VI pegged that some 40,000 loose guns abound Western Visayas.
Running after these unlicensed firearms would be given focus, as the total gun ban ended last June 9.
Although even without the gun ban, PNP Regional Director Chief Supt. Isagani Cuevas said that they would continue to go after individuals who carry firearms sans license and/or permit to carry firearm outside of residence (PTCFOR).
“We will sustain our campaign against illegal possession of firearms pursuant to P.D. 1866 as amended by RA 8294,” he said.
PRO-6 records revealed that of the estimated 52,759 unlicensed guns in Western Visayas, only 9,771 guns were made to undergo the government’s Extended Firearm Amnesty Program (Executive Order 817-A), which ran from October 1 to November 30, 2009.
Cuevas believed that if they could successfully go against those unlicensed gun holders, occurrence of criminalities would be curved.
“It’s for the simple reason that most of these criminals use guns in doing their nefarious activities,” the region’s top cop said.
Earlier, the PNP and other sectors advocated for the extension of the gun ban, citing the decreased in the crime rates since the implementation of the ban when it was implemented last January 10 until June 9.
Some 3,000 persons nationwide were arrested for violations of the Commission on Elections Memorandum Circular 8714 or the gun ban.
In Region VI, some 312 persons were arrested.
Majority of these violators are civilians with 281; Four are members of the Armed Forces; 11 government officials to include police personnel; and 15 others, who are mostly private security personnel.
Cuevas said the intensified implementation of gun ban made the May 10 elections in Western Visayas relatively peaceful and orderly.
