ILOILO City – A region-wide police operation targeting illegal firearms led to the confiscation of unlicensed weapons and ammunition and the arrest of four individuals across Iloilo and Capiz provinces over the weekend.
According to the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6), search warrants were simultaneously served in four areas on Saturday, March 29.
The first operation was executed by officers of the Iloilo City Police Office’s Police Station 9 and Intelligence Unit, and the Iloilo City Mobile Force Company in Barangay Tabuc Suba, Jaro, Iloilo City at around 6:03 a.m. Police arrested alias “Ariel”, 46, who was found in possession of a caliber .45 pistol, a magazine with eight live cartridges, and a gun replica with its magazine.
A few hours later, police raided a residence in Barangay Capiñahan, Lemery, Iloilo at 8:20 a.m. Confiscated were Glock 17 pistol, two magazines, and 10 live cartridges from alias “Boy”, 30. The Lemery Municipal Police, alongside the Iloilo Police Provincial Office Intelligence Unit and the 2nd Iloilo Provincial Mobile Force Company, carried out the operation.
Another raid followed in Barangay Tipacla, Ajuy, Iloilo where authorities seized four live caliber .45 cartridges from alias “Richard”, 48.
In Capiz province, police collared alias “Vani”, 47, in Barangay Baybay, Roxas City. He yielded a caliber .45 pistol with a loaded magazine, a caliber .38 revolver with two live cartridges, and a homemade short firearm with a 12-gauge shotgun cartridge.
Brigadier General Jack Wanky, director of the PRO-6, commended the said police units for their continued efforts in disarming individuals.
“The police force remains committed to tracking down undocumented firearms to prevent their use in crimes,” he added.
All four suspects are now in police custody and will face charges for violating Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act)./PN
