By Mario Supnad
CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga – Almost 500 loose firearms were seized by the Central Luzon police in a determined bid to curb violence during the 2019 midterm elections, regional police director Chief Supt. Amador V Corpus reported Monday.
Corpus said that 29 firearms were seized in legitimate police operations while 457 others were surrendered for safekeeping since ‘Oplan Katok’ was implemented in September this year.
In Camp Tolentino, Bataan police chief Sr. Supt Marcelo Dayag said that seized and recovered firearms will be presented before members of the media and Corpus on Monday at the Provincial Capitol.
‘Oplan Katok’ mandates police officers to visit the residence of identified gun owners who failed to renew their firearms licenses.
"We appeal to the public to bear with us and to cooperate when being inspected during ‘Oplan Katok’ operations. Those who have yet to surrender their unrenewed firearms, you can go to the nearest police station and voluntarily surrender them for safekeeping because you can be charged for violation of RA 10591 which has stiffer penalties," Corpus stressed.