CAMP GEN. VICENTE LIM, Calamba City – A total of 1,710 assorted short, long and high-powered firearms are now under the custody of the Police Regional Office (PRO4A) Calabarzon headquarters here for safekeeping and disposition as of Friday.
In his report to visiting Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Oscar D. Albayalde, Calabarzon Police Regional Director Brig. Gen. Edward E. Carranza said the assorted firearms include 314 confiscated and 1,396 “surrendered for safekeeping” following their campaign on “Oplan Katok” and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) gun ban in the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon.
Albayalde was at the regional police headquarters for the command conference on security briefings and election preparations for the May 13 mid-term national and local polls.
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Oscar D. Albayalde (left), with Calabarzon Regional Police director, Brig. Gen. Edward E. Carranza (2nd from left), inspects a high-powered firearm, among the 1,710 assorted weapons and contrabands, following a command conference at the regional police headquarters in Camp Gen. Vicente Lim, Calamba City on April 12, 2019. (Photo by Saul E. Pa-a)
Albayalde inspected the various firearms displayed at the covered court following a media conference, where he underscored “the police force means business and are serious on their anti-criminality operations, fight against loose firearms and strict imposition of the gun ban.”
“Ang Comelec ang boss natin sa ngayon (Comelec is our boss at the moment) because we are being deputized for this May 13 mid-term elections, and we should exert at all times to implement the gun ban,” Albayalde told police officials, commissioned and non-commissioned officers.
He also directed all police officials and officers, personnel to quickly respond to untoward incidents and emergencies.
“Tapos na tayo sa mga (We are now done with) memorandum orders, circulars, directives, now is the time for actions to serve our respective communities,” Albayalde stressed, citing “always observe humility and service, not arrogance because of our ranks or college degree.”
Of the 1,710, 314 were either seized, confiscated or recovered in Cavite with 73 assorted firearms; Laguna with 91; Batangas with 67; Rizal with 56; and Quezon with 27.
Of the 1,396 surrendered for safekeeping, around 232 are from Cavite; Laguna, 334; Batangas, 541; Rizal, 159; and from Quezon, 130.
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Oscar D. Albayalde (at podium) takes time out to "meet and greet" police officials, commissioned and non-commissioned officers at the Calabarzon Regional Police Office (PRO4A) during his visit for the command conference on security briefings and election preparations for the May 13 mid-term polls, at the regional command headquarters at Camp Gen. Vicente Lim, Calamba City on April 12, 2019. (Photo by Saul E. Pa-a)
“These are the accomplishments of the Police Regional Office on the implementation of Republic Act 10446, otherwise known as the Comelec gun ban in relation to the May 2019 mid-term elections,” Carranza told the media.
Carranza reported that various police operations such as checkpoints, implementation of search warrants, buy-busts and other operations were conducted, which resulted in the confiscation and recovery of assorted firearms - as well as other contrabands - since the start of the Comelec gun ban last January 13 this year.
“Let me assure everyone that the members of Police Regional Office Calabarzon and the entire PNP are working hard to make this coming electoral exercise free, peaceful and truly reflective of the voice of the Filipino people,” Carranza said. (PNA)
