CAMP RAFAEL C. RODRIGUEZ, Butuan City – Twenty-seven loose firearms were surrendered to the Police Regional Office-13 from August 1 to 9.

AMONG the loose firearms surrendered to the Police Regional Office-13. (Mike U. Crismundo)
The PRO-13 Regional Operations Division (ROD) said 25 were surrendered by gun owners under “Oplan: Bakal” and “Katok” while two were turned in by two former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels during their surrender.
Agusan del Sur Police Provincial Office (PPO) had 12, followed by Surigao del Sur PPO with six, Agusan del Norte PPO with four, Surigao del Norte with two, and Butuan City Police Office, DIPPO, and Regional Mobile Force Battalion-13, one each.
PRO-13 Director Police Brig. Gen. Kirby John B. Kraft ordered field unit commanders to step up the campaign against loose firearms as the Sangguniang Kabataan and barangay elections are fast approaching.
“PRO-13 vows to strengthen the campaign against loose firearms to reduce gun-related incidents especially that the campaign period for the 2023 Barangay and SK elections is fast approaching,” Kraft said.
“I also encourage those who haven’t deposited or surrendered their unlicensed firearms or guns with expired licenses to do so or become the subject of police operations.”
Kraft mobilized regional, provincial, and city mobile forces to assist in the all-out campaign and help local field units in implementing his directive.