Number of loose firearms down by 50 percent

MANILA, Philippines - The number of loose firearms has been reduced by about 50 percent following the election gun ban and Oplan Katok of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Records from the PNP-Firearms and Explosives Office showed some 245,000 gun holders have complied with regulations to renew their expired licenses.

Of the 613,657 gun holders with expired licenses, some 245,000 have renewed their registration as of the first week of June.

Some 1.6 million firearms are registered nationwide.

PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo Jr. said police will continue to implement Oplan Katok.