TACLOBAN CITY – The Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) reported significant gains in its intensified campaign against loose firearms and explosives across Eastern Visayas, highlighting the recovery of an unexploded ordnance (UXO) and the surrender of several homemade and unregistered weapons.
In Palo, Leyte, a 38-year-old safety officer, identified only as “Delo,” sought police assistance after discovering a corroded MK2 fragmentation grenade without a fuse assembly at a flood control project in Barangay Guindapunan.
Personnel from the Palo Municipal Police Station coordinated with the Explosives Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team, which safely recovered the device and turned it over to the Regional Explosive and Canine Unit 8 (RECU-8) for proper disposition.
In Southern Leyte, residents voluntarily surrendered several improvised firearms, including an improvised shotgun or “latong” in Silago, a marble gun in Bontoc, another latong in Libagon, and a caliber .38 revolver without a serial number in Bontoc. Police said the recoveries stemmed from intensified patrols and barangay visitations that encouraged residents to give up illegal weapons.
In Samar, a hand grenade was surrendered in Barangay Viejo, Pagsanghan, during a barangay visitation under the “Balik Armas Program” of the Samar Police Provincial Office in coordination with the local government unit.
Meanwhile, in Leyte, two improvised firearms locally known as “sumpak” were turned over to authorities in Barangay Sta. Cruz, Julita, and Barangay Poblacion, Hilongos.
PRO-8 Director PB/Gen. Jason Capoy commended the public for their cooperation, saying such support is crucial to maintaining peace and security in the region.
“The proactive cooperation of the public in turning over loose firearms and explosives greatly contributes to the safety and security of our communities. Rest assured, PRO-8 will continue to strengthen its partnership with local government units and stakeholders to sustain the gains of our campaign,” Capoy said.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
