By Sarwell Meniano
TACLOBAN CITY – The Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) accounted for 749 firearms through intensified operations against loose firearms across Eastern Visayas in October, as part of its continuing efforts to prevent firearm-related crimes and strengthen public safety.
In a statement Wednesday, PRO-8 said it conducted 664 operations during the one-month period, resulting in the arrest of 36 individuals. The operations led to the recovery of two firearms, confiscation of 43, voluntary surrender of 561, and deposit of 143 firearms for safekeeping.
The Leyte Police Provincial Office (LPPO) recorded the highest number of accounted firearms with 218, followed by the Samar PPO with 115 and the Northern Samar PPO with 90.
Other police units also reported significant accomplishments, including the Southern Leyte PPO with 82 firearms, Tacloban City Police Office (CPO) with 79, Ormoc CPO with 69, Eastern Samar PPO with 48, and Biliran PPO with 39.
The Regional Mobile Force Battalion accounted for seven firearms, while the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit recorded two.
PRO-8 Regional Director Brig. Gen. Romano Cardiño urged policemen to sustain their efforts in enforcing firearm laws and intensify public awareness campaigns on responsible firearm ownership and compliance with existing regulations.
“Every firearm we recover, confiscate, voluntarily surrendered, or deposited for safekeeping helps prevent crime and ensure the safety of our communities. We will continue to intensify our campaign against loose firearms and strengthen our partnership with the public to encourage firearm owners to comply with existing laws and regulations,” Cardiño said.
He added the police would continue strengthening the campaign against loose firearms and enhancing coordination with the public to encourage firearm owners to comply with existing laws and regulations. (PNA)
