DAGUPAN CITY – Some 123 candidates in the Ilocos region have voluntarily surrendered 149 firearms as of Feb. 24 since the election period started last month.
Ilocos Police Regional Office (PRO 1) director Brig. Gen. Emmanuel Peralta said a total of 471 guns were surrendered or deposited to the different police stations in the region for safekeeping.
He said 268 of these were surrendered by 149 private individuals due to the intensified campaign against loose firearms.
“This is part of our massive campaign against loose firearms especially in preparation for the national and local elections 2022. We are closely working with the Commission on Elections and our Armed Forces of the Philippines counterparts in order to sustain what we have started well,” said Peralta.
He attributed this success to the “Oplan Katok” campaign where police personnel go door-to-door to the known addresses of firearm holders who have not yet renewed their firearm licenses and registration.
Peralta assured that all police campaigns such as checkpoint operations will be sustained and intensified as part of the Philippine National Police's anti-criminality campaign to deter crimes and preempt illegal activities especially during the election period.