Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), ordered all police units across the country to further intensify the operations against private armed groups (PAGs) and loose firearms as part of the security measures for the midterm elections in May next year.
Marbil said the intensified campaign to dismantle PAGs and account as many loose guns is to ensure a peaceful and credible results of the elections.
“This directive is designed to bolster public safety and mitigate potential violence, thereby promoting a peaceful democratic process. This is to provide a safe environment for every Filipino, especially as we approach the election period,” said Marbil.
A total of 25,240 firearms were already confiscated from Jan. 1 to Nov. 30 this year while an additional 9,932 firearms turned over for safekeeping.
On the other hand, thousands more were arrested for violations relating to illegal possession of firearms—the highest number of arrests for firearms law violations were recorded in the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) with 2,033 arrests; followed by Police Regional Office 3 (PRO 3) with 979; and Police Regional Office 7 (PRO 7) with 906.
In terms of confiscated or surrendered firearms, PRO 7 led with 3,951 cases; followed by PRO 6 with 3,023; and NCRPO with 2,175.
Meanwhile, PRO 4-A (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) recorded the highest number of firearms turned over for safekeeping at 2,797.
On the campaign against PAGs, Marbil said they were able to reduce the number of active private armed groups from six last year to only three this year following the disbandment of the Kunti Melo Group in Bukidnon and the Bal and Mayo Groups in Nueva Ecija.
He said potential PAGs have dropped from 28 to just five due to ongoing operations that have led to the delisting of 33 groups following arrests and surrenders.
“By aggressively targeting private armed groups and the illegal firearms they use, we are dismantling their capacity for violence and intimidation. The PNP remains committed to safeguarding the democratic process and ensuring a secure Philippines for all,” said Marbil.