By Jennifer P. Rendon
Firearms and ammunition were recovered following a series of police operations in Iloilo province on September 25.
Different units under the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) implemented three search warrants in a span of three hours.
Members of Tigbauan Municipal Police Station carried out the first operation at 5:42 a.m. on Wednesday at Barangay Bagacay, Tigbauan town.
However, the subject, 25-year-old alias Dino, was not present during the search and seizure operation.
Police only recovered two ammunition for calibers .38 revolver and .45 pistol.
At 7 a.m., personnel of Badiangan Municipal Police Station searched the house of 67-year-old alias Renato at Barangay Catubig, Badiangan.
Police recovered a caliber .38 revolver with six ammunition, homemade 12-gauge shotgun with one magazine and four ammunition.
On the other hand, operatives from Banate PNP did a search operation against 59-year alias Tito, a resident of Barangay dela Paz, Banate.
Taken were a homemade 12-gauge shotgun and an improvised air gun.
Colonel Bayani Razalan, Iloilo police chief, said they received reports from residents that the trio are in possession of unlicensed firearms, thus the search operation.
Meanwhile, Brigadier General Jack Wanky, Western Visayas police chief, lauded the IPPO for their relentless against loose firearms.
“We recognize the effort of IPPO in this campaign and this will lessen the occurrence of crimes involving firearms. Also, we commend the support of the community to our local police for being vigilant in their respective localities and for providing information to the police,” he said.
Wanky also encouraged the public to be vigilant, as he asked them to stand in support of the PNP in preventing crimes.
The suspects are now under police custody and will be charged with violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
