TACLOBAN CITY — Police in Eastern Visayas accounted for 32 loose firearms in 28 operations conducted across the region on Sept. 28, including improvised weapons and firearms with defaced serial numbers, the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) said.
PRO-8 said one firearm was seized during a police operation, while 13 were voluntarily surrendered by individuals. Another 17 firearms had earlier been deposited with the police for safekeeping, while one was still being processed for surrender.
Most of the firearms had defaced serial numbers or were improvised weapons, including locally made “de holen” and “sumpak” firearms.
The firearms with expired registrations were mostly .45-caliber pistols and 9mm firearms, police said.
The operations also resulted in the turnover of one explosive device. No arrests were reported in connection with the campaign.
Police urged individuals possessing unauthorized or unregistered firearms or explosives to coordinate with the nearest police unit for their proper disposition in accordance with existing laws.
PRO-8 said the campaign forms part of continuing efforts to prevent the proliferation and misuse of loose firearms and explosives through police operations, voluntary surrender initiatives and coordination with communities and other stakeholders.
The police regional office said the initiative is intended to help promote safer communities across Eastern Visayas.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
