ILOILO City — At least 79 firearms and 11 explosives were surrendered to the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) in a single day.
Records from PRO-6 showed that from the morning of Oct. 10 to the morning of Oct. 11, various police stations across the region accounted for the loose firearms and explosives as part of the continued campaign against unlicensed weapons under the Restrict, Track, and Turn-In (RTT) project.
According to PRO-6 director Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño, this accomplishment resulted from a soft-hand approach by police personnel, convincing gun holders to surrender unlicensed guns and unrenewed licenses to avoid police operations.
The Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) posted the highest number with 36 firearms and five explosives, followed by the Capiz PPO with 18 guns and one explosive, and the Aklan PPO with 10 firearms and four explosives.
Meanwhile, the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) accounted for eight guns, the Antique PPO recovered five, and the Guimaras PPO turned in two.
Tuaño acknowledged the efforts of his personnel in working to eradicate loose firearms throughout the region.
“Bawat baril na boluntaryong isinuko ay isang potensyal na panganib na naaalis sa ating mga komunidad. Ang mga resultang ito ay hindi lamang sukatan ng ating mga operasyon, kundi patunay rin ng lumalakas na pakikipagtulungan ng mamamayan sa pulisya,” Tuaño said. “Nagpapasalamat tayo sa ating mga kababayan na tumutugon sa ating panawagan. Sa ilalim ng Project RTT, patuloy nating palalakasin ang ating intelligence-driven operations at pakikipag-ugnayan sa mga barangay upang matiyak na ang loose firearms ay hindi magagamit sa karahasan o anumang krimen.”/PN
