ILOILO City — The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) has intensified its crackdown on loose firearms, urging gun holders to legalize their weapons through an upcoming licensing caravan to avoid facing police operations.
Police Colonel Wilbert Parilla, ICPO director, announced during a press conference yesterday that the License to Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPF) Caravan will be held on May 7 to 8, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event will take place at the Nutrition Center conference hall in partnership with the Iloilo City Government and the Regional Civil Security Unit 6 (RCSU-6).
According to Parilla, the initiative aims to encourage firearm owners to legalize their possession and support the government’s efforts to eradicate loose firearms. The caravan is open to barangay officials, City Hall employees, and the general public on a first-come, first-served basis.
To assist applicants, a one-stop-shop system will be available at the venue. Services include neuro-psychiatric examinations, drug testing, National Police Clearance, barangay clearance processing.
Applicants must bring an Oath of Office (for government personnel) and a Philippine Statistics Authority birth certificate.
The ICPO chief warned that those who fail to secure the pertinent papers for their firearms will be subjected to future police operations.
“We encourage all firearm holders to take advantage of this opportunity to legalize their firearms. This initiative is part of our continuing effort to reduce loose firearms and strengthen public safety. Let us work together because safety is everyone’s responsibility,” Parilla said.
The intensified campaign follows significant recovery efforts in April. ICPO recoveries reached 44 firearms across 43 operations: 16 surrendered, 22 deposited for safekeeping, and six confiscated.
Also, five individuals were arrested, and three explosives were recovered.
In the most recent operation on April 26, a pedicab driver identified as alias “Nathan” was arrested in Barangay Yulo Drive, Arevalo district. The suspect allegedly sold a caliber .22 revolver and a holster to a police asset during an entrapment operation.
The suspect was detained at Police Station 6, facing charges for violating Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act./PN
