329 loose firearms seized by CPPO

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu Provincial Police Office had confiscated a total of 329 loose firearms in various police operations since October.

CCPO director Colonel Roderick Mariano presented the firearms yesterday to Police Regional Office-7 director Brigadier General Valeriano De Leon. The confiscated firearms were products of the intensified campaign against loose firearms in Cebu Province.

Police discovered that most of the seized firearms are made in Danao City.

The CPPO started the “Oplan Katok” in October where police personnel visited the houses of registered gun owners who failed to renew their registration and asked them to surrender their guns.

The police have also encouraged the public to surrender their loose firearms to prevent these from being used by criminals.

De Leon said that despite the increase in the volume of loose firearms surrendered to the police, they will continue the campaign as preventive measure against crimes using unregistered guns. He urged his men at CPPO to intensify the campaign more.

"Sana ‘wag silang mapagod and that they will continue to intensify their campaign against loose firearms," De Leon said.

He explained that they have noted an increase in the volume of crimes involving firearms. The official, however, did not cite statistics. But with the several loose firearms already confiscated, De Leon said he is expecting the volume to decrease in the days to come.

De Leon also encouraged all firearm holders to register their guns with the Firearms and Explosives Office and those with expired registration to renew it. He said that the strict guidelines in the registration of firearm should not be a reason not to register.

"Hindi ko na pinarehistro yan kasi ang hirap makakuha ng lisensya," De Leon recalled the most common excuse of people who failed to renew their license.

Contrary to what some firearm holders believe, De Leon said it is now convenient to register a firearm and renew the registration because the application is processed online. He said it was him who started it when he was FEO chief.

"It is to ensure a no contact policy," De Leon said. (FREEMAN)