Pangasinan police ups campaign vs. loose firearms ahead of '25 polls
2024-Nov-14 20:00
LOOSE FIREARMS. Ilocos Police Regional Office director, Brig. Gen. Lou Frias Evangelista; and Pangasinan Police Provincial Office director, Col. Rollyfer Capoquian, (4th and 5th from left) pose with other police officials during the presentation of around 3,000 confiscated, abandoned, surrendered, or forfeited firearms since 2016 at Camp Gov. Antonio Sison in Lingayen town, Pangasinan on Nov. 11, 2024. The Pangasinan police intensified its campaign against loose firearms ahead of the 2025 elections. (PNA/Hilda Austria)
LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – Over 500 loose firearms have been confiscated and voluntarily surrendered while 152 have been deposited with authorities during the Oplan Katok (Oplan Knock) conducted by the Pangasinan Police Provincial Office (PPO) since Jan. 1.
Citing the data from Pangasinan Police Provincial Office (PPO), information officer Capt. Renan dela Cruz on Wednesday said some 206 firearms have been confiscated as of November 9 this year while 305 were voluntarily surrendered.
He said about 161 individuals were arrested in 305 of the 11,630 Oplan Katok operations since the start of the year, eyed to boost measures to ensure a peaceful 2025 election.
The confiscated firearms this year, along with the over 3,000 others confiscated, surrendered, captured, abandoned, or forfeited since 2016, were turned over to the Regional Civil Service Unit (RCSU) by the Pangasinan PPO last Monday.
"It is a result of extensive campaign to contain proliferation of loose firearms in order to maintain peaceful and orderly elections," Pangasinan police director Col. Rollyfer Capoquian said during the event.
Ilocos Police Regional director Brig. Gen. Lou Frias Evangelista said the campaign against loose firearms diminishes the tools of violence.
"Our goal in the upcoming elections is simple but vital – - to create an atmosphere where every citizen can exercise their right to vote without fear. With this, we underline our commitment to achieving a safe, accurate, and fair elections in 2025," he said.
There are around 22,268 licensed gun owners in Pangasinan. (PNA)