CCMF recovers firearms from mountain villages

CEBU, Philippines —  At least 21 assorted loose firearms and 57 bullets were recovered by the Cebu City Mobile Force (CCMF) last Wednesday from the different barangays in the city.

In line with their intensified campaign against loose firearms dubbed as OPLAN Rubidium, the CCMF was able to recover several pieces from Barangays Sudlon I, Sinsin, Buot-taup, Bonbon, Babag, Malubog, Busay, Budlaan, San Jose and Pulangbato.

These include a 5.56mm revolver also known as ‘Frontier’, three .22 rifle, eight .38 revolver; four .357 revolver; two .30 caliber bolt action sniper rifle; one improvised 12-gauge shotgun; one .30 caliber revolver; and an improvised pistol.

“Hindi lang namin ito na-recover nang bandang December, tapos binalikan lang namin ngayon, kaya na-recover ulit,” said Police Lieutenant Colonel Randy Korret, Chief of CCMF.

Korret said some individuals were reported by concerned citizens during their community engagement that they possess undocumented firearms in their possession after series of intelligence build up and lectures on the program thrust of the PNP.

“Mga previous years kasi, mga 2013 or 2012, may mga shooting incidents na hindi na re-report. Kaya yon ang nag-challenge sa amin na i-recover nalang ang mga firearms,” Korret added.

The firearms were voluntarily surrendered by the individuals, as a move to account all the loose firearms and as a proactive way to prevent and control crimes.

Korret said that “personal protection” is the main reason why the individuals keep those firearms due to theft in their area.

“Habang medyo may diplomasya pa ang gobyerno, i-surrender na lang natin, kasi ayaw naman talaga namin ng gulo eh. Even sa PNP, ayaw namin ng gyera ba. As much as possible, ayaw namin ng encounter, kasi kapag may masugatan kami, kami rin naman ang gagastos. So, ganon din sa mga may ari ng firearms,” Korret said.

“Ayaw din namin may ma-aksidente, may makabarilan ang police, may encounter.  So, mas maganda i-surrender na lang natin ang lahat ng illegal firearms,” he added. Karmella Colina, UV Intern, GAN (FREEMAN)