ILOILO City – Seven individuals, including a village watchman and a councilman, voluntarily surrendered their unlicensed weapons to police personnel on January 8 to avoid criminal charges.
According to Police Lieutenant Colonel Arnel Solis of the 1st Iloilo Provincial Mobile Force Company (IPMFC), these seven went to his office and handed over their guns for fear that they would be subjected to police operations.
Aliases “James,” 33, a resident of Barangay Batuan Ilaya, Oton, Iloilo; “Nonoy,” 47, of Barangay Bitas, Tigbauan town; tanod “Nestor,” 56, of Barangay Bagumbayan, Tigbauan; and kagawad “Jun,” 62, of Barangay Linobayan, Tigbauan, all surrendered their respective caliber .38 revolver.
Also, alias “Nonoy,” 53, of Barangay Ting-an Norte, Leon, handed over his homemade shotgun while alias “Alvin,” 74, from Barangay Cadabdab, Tubungan, surrendered homemade shotgun with ammunition.
“We recently intensified our campaign against loose firearms,” said Solis.
For his part, Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) director Colonel Bayani Razalan commended the said individuals for their cooperation, and underscored the importance of community support in maintaining peace and order.
“The voluntary surrender of loose firearms is a clear manifestation of the community’s trust and cooperation with the police. This initiative significantly reduces the risk of firearm-related incidents and strengthens public safety. We encourage others who are still in possession of loose firearms to follow this example and work with us toward a safer Iloilo,” Razalan said./PN
