421 ‘loose’ guns yielded

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The number of surrendered guns with expired licenses, or those the police deemed as loose firearms, has reached 421, as of last Monday (August 13).

Senior Inspector Aireen Cordua, spokesperson of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO), yesterday said they are now expecting more guns with expired licenses to be surrendered, following last week's start of the implementation of the police's 'iron hand policy' against owners of loose firearms.

There are 11,184 firearms licensed in Negros Occidental, with 10,908 now with expired licenses.

From January to July this year, 120 firearms were also confiscated by the police in separate police operations in the province.

Among the gun owners who surrendered their loose firearms 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 visit to residences of gun owners with expired licenses, and of suspected holders of unlicensed firearms.

NOCPPO is also targeting the 434 assorted guns in possessions of private armed groups and criminal gangs in Negros Occidental.