MAGISTRADO (FB)
BUTUAN CITY – A total of 416 law enforcement operations against loose firearms were conducted by the stations and units of the Police Regional Office (PRO) in the Caraga region from January to August this year.
During the period, 133 individuals were arrested, and 680 loose firearms were either confiscated, surrendered, or deposited.
"The intensified campaign against loose firearms is among the priorities of PRO-13 (Caraga) Director Police Brig. Gen. Marcial Mariano Magistrado IV to ensure the safety of residents in the region," PRO-13 information chief Police Lt. Col. Jennifer Ometer said in an interview on Thursday.
Data provided by the regional police indicated that of the 416 operations during the period, 11 were conducted by the Agusan del Norte Police, 209 by the Agusan del Sur Police, 85 by the Surigao del Norte Police, 21 by the Surigao del Sur Police, 20 by the Dinagat Islands Police, 33 by the Butuan City Police, and 37 by the Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB).
A total of 19 individuals were arrested in Agusan del Norte, 21 in Agusan del Sur, five in Surigao del Norte, 29 in Surigao del Sur, one in Dinagat Islands, 22 in Butuan City, and 36 by the RMFB.
The highest number of firearms was confiscated in Agusan del Sur with 225, followed by Surigao del Sur with 143, Agusan del Norte with 117, Surigao del Norte with 91, Butuan City with 48, RMFB with 36, and Dinagat Islands with 20.
"The campaign against loose firearms is also aimed to deter lawless elements from utilizing loose firearms in criminal activities in the region," Ometer said. (PNA)