CATBALOGAN CITY – The provincial government of Samar recently rewarded P10,000 to each individual who surrendered loose firearms under the Balik Armas program.
ON the table are loose guns surrendered to authorities.
Gov. Sharee Ann Tan commended the Samar Police Provincial Office for their efforts in implementing the program that led to the surrender of 43 firearms. The provincial government paid a total of P430,000.
Sixteen out of 24 municipalities and two component cities successfully encouraged the community to surrender their loose firearms.
These functional firearms, including improvised guns, were turned over from July 31 to December 31, 2024.
Chiefs of police and unit commanders received P10,000 while their units received P10,000 for their efforts in facilitating their surrender.
Police Col. Antonietto Eric Mendoza, Samar police provincial director, said they will continue to accept the surrender of unlicensed firearms, citing the significant decline of gun-related incidents in the province.
“This aims to ensure public safety and security by minimizing, if not totally eradicating the unauthorized possession of unregistered firearms in our communities,” Mendoza said.
Tan said that they will provide 16 motorcycles that can be used by the Samar police, especially during the upcoming elections.
“In preparation for the May 2025 elections, whatever is required to ensure peaceful elections with no untoward incidents, we will heed the recommendations of the PNP and Comelec,” she said.
Samar has seven areas of concern in the elections.