Negros Occidental PNP to use 'iron hand' vs loose firearms

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — There are 10,908 guns with expired licenses in Negros Occidental, the owners of which are soon be subjects of “iron hand approach”, among others, if they will not surrender these to the provincial police for safekeeping, a top police official warned.

Only 63 of the 10,908 firearms with expired licenses were surrendered to the various police stations in Negros Occidental, by their respective owners, police records show. On the other hand, police said there are 11,184 firearms licensed in the province.

The 10,908 guns with expired licenses are now considered loose firearms, according to Senior Superintendent Rodolfo Castil Jr,, director of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO).

Starting today (August 8), Castil said they will start implementing an “iron hand approach,” in collecting loose firearms, specially those with expired licenses, in line also with the May elections next year.

Among the gun owners who surrendered their firearms with expired licenses, were a town vice-mayor, a former mayor, two policemen, and some owners of private security agencies.

In previous months, the PNP launched Oplan Katok, a police door-to-door visits to residences of gun owners with expired licenses, and of suspected holders of firearms.

Castil lauded the cooperation of some gun owners, who extended cooperation to their “Oplan Tokhang Kontra Guinadili-an nga Armas,” as he also reiterated his appeal for gun enthusiasts to deposit their guns, with expired licenses to the nearest police stations.

The Bacolod City Police Office also reported that there are 3,000 firearms with expired licenses in Bacolod City.

During the weekend, a former mayor in northern Negros, whose identity is being withheld by the police, surrendered six high-powered firearms, with expired licenses, to the Sagay City Police Station.

Castil said they are also targeting the 434 assorted guns in possessions of private armed groups and criminal gangs in Negros Occidental.