CEBU CITY – The Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) vowed a more intensified campaign against loose firearms as the May election approaches.
POLICE Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan, chief of the Police Regional Office-Central Visayas, examines firearms turned over to the Cebu Provincial Police Office. (Contributed photo)
Since the assumption of Police Col. Jovito Atanacio as chief of CPPO last Dec. 27, a total of 181 unlicensed firearms have been recovered in Cebu.
Atanacio said a total of 142 operations against loose firearms were conducted since he assumed the post.
He said 120 firearms were recovered from civilians during police operations such as checkpoints and Oplan: Bulabog.
The CPPO chief said 22 firearms were surrendered by elected officials and electoral candidates and 39 were turned over to the Regional Learning and Doctrine Development Division.
Atanacio reminded individuals who possess firearms with expired licenses to turn them over to police stations for safekeeping.
Police have a list of individuals possessing firearms with expired licenses. Through Oplan: Katok, police will track down individuals with expired firearms licenses, Anatacio said.
“This campaign is in relation to our preparation for the national and local election in May,” said Atanacio.
Police Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan, chief of the Police Regional Office-Central Visayas, commended the CPPO for their aggressive campaign against loose firearms.
Maranan thanked gun owners who voluntarily surrendered their weapons.
“During the election period, we really have to recover those loose firearms because we don’t want these firearms to be in the hands of lawless elements,” said Maranan.