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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Over 21,500 firearms seized as PNP steps up drive vs loose guns

Over 21,500 firearms seized as PNP steps up drive vs loose guns

Published Oct 7, 2025 05:10 pm
POLICE Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan (right), chief of the Police Regional Office-Central Visayas, inspects assorted firearms and gun-making paraphernalia seized in various operations in Danao City, Cebu province. (Contributed photo)
POLICE Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan (right), chief of the Police Regional Office-Central Visayas, inspects assorted firearms and gun-making paraphernalia seized in various operations in Danao City, Cebu province. (Contributed photo)
The Philippine National Police (PNP) seized more than 21,500 loose firearms and arrested around 9,000 individuals in the intensified anti-criminality campaign across the country since January this year. 
Acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr. said they expect more accomplishments in the coming days following the creation of the special task group for the disbandment of private armed groups.
“We are shifting from structure-heavy to mission-focused policing. Our priority is to dismantle private armed groups and take away the firearms that fuel violence and lawlessness in the regions,” said Nartatez.
He said a total of 7,759 firearms were voluntarily turned in for safekeeping as part of the PNP’s ongoing efforts to encourage responsible gun ownership and accountability.
On Oct. 1, the five Area Police Command of the PNP were disbanded—the Northern Luzon, Southern Luzon, Visayas, Eastern Mindanao, and Western Mindanao.
In replacement, the PNP activated the Special Task Force on the Disbandment of Private Armed Groups (STF-DPAGs).
Nartatez said the newly activated task force will coordinate nationwide efforts to identify, neutralize, and disband private armed groups and recover their stockpiles of unregistered firearms.
The five task groups will be headed by Lt. Gen. Edgar Alan O. Okubo, PNP’s Deputy Chief for Operations.
They were tasked with identifying both existing and potential private armed groups, disarming them, and accounting for all recovered weapons in close coordination with regional and provincial police offices.
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