Close to 1,000 loose guns recovered

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Provincial Police Office yesterday presented to Police Regional Office-7 director Lani-O Nerez almost a thousand pieces of both high-powered and low-powered firearms, 493 of which were recovered under the “Oplan Kontra Boga”.

 Nerez said that the recovered firearms are the result of CPPO’s implementation of Oplan Kontra Boga under PNP’s “last and final firearm amnesty program” which was formally launched last October 1.

 The amnesty program will end until midnight today. However, Nerez said that the public can still register their loose firearms even though the amnesty program will already end. On the other hand, those who seek renewal of their gun licenses or under the “Oplan Bilang Boga” are no longer allowed, he said.

The owners themselves surrendered the 493 loose or unregistered guns, including two M16 rifles.

Of the figure, Danao City Police Station recovered the most number of loose firearms with 39, followed by the Toledo City Police Station with 36, Balamban Police Station with 33, Talisay City Police Station with 30, and 28 from the Liloan Police Station.

Police stations in the towns of Oslob, Tabogon, Samboan, Aloguinsan, San Remigio, Santander and Pilar recovered one gun each.

CPPO director Jesus Gaquing said their office was able to comply and even exceeded the three-percent monthly target in recovering loose firearms. Police record showed that there were about 10,000 loose firearms in the province. — Niña G. Sumacot/MEEV   (FREEMAN NEWS)