TACLOBAN CITY — A rifle-propelled grenade (RPG) and a .38-caliber firearm were turned over to police by two residents of Eastern Samar on Oct. 8 as authorities intensified efforts to remove loose firearms and dangerous items from local communities.
The Eastern Samar Police Provincial Office (ESPPO) said the separate voluntary surrenders took place in Jipapad and Borongan City as part of its campaign against unregistered firearms and other potentially dangerous weapons.
In Jipapad, a 48-year-old resident personally appeared before the municipal police station and surrendered an RPG bearing the markings XM119 E1 G.1.E 60.20 1-69.
In a separate incident in Borongan City, a 20-year-old student identified by the alias “Benjoven,” a resident of Sitio Lipgutan in Barangay Balud, voluntarily turned over a .38-caliber firearm to authorities.
The two items are now in police custody for accounting, verification and proper disposition in accordance with Philippine National Police policies and procedures, the ESPPO said.
Police Col. Orlando Gardiola Jr., ESPPO officer-in-charge, urged residents possessing unregistered firearms or dangerous items to surrender them voluntarily to authorities.
He emphasized that the voluntary turnover of such items could help prevent potential threats and improve public safety in communities.
The provincial police office also reminded residents to ensure that firearms are legally registered and properly accounted for, and to coordinate with police personnel for the safe surrender of firearms and other dangerous items.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
