PNP starts ‘Oplan Katok’

MANILA, Philippines - At least 85 long and short firearms with expired licenses, seized from politicians in Cavite were accounted for as the Philippine National Police (PNP) started “Oplan Katok” yesterday.

Director Lina Sarmiento, chief of the Directorate for Police Community Relations, said they expect to account for more as the PNP intensifies its campaign against loose firearms and guns with expired licenses.

Sarmiento led other PNP officials, who received the 25 long and 60 short firearms for safekeeping.

The PNP-Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO) is trying to account for 552,380 firearms with expired licenses. The registration of at least 27,640 firearms expired from one day to six months while about 65,865 guns have expired licenses from six months to two years. Licenses for 358,883  firearms have not been renewed for more than two years now.

Sarmiento reminded gun holders to renew their licenses not later than Dec. 31.

FEO director Chief Superintendent Raul Petrasanta said most of the firearms with expired licenses  were from Metro Manila,  followed by Central Luzon and the  Southern Tagalo.

On orders of PNP chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome, Petrasanta said the FEO sent the list of gun owners with their addresses to the regional, provincial and station commanders for visitation of members of Oplan Katok.