By Jennifer P. Rendon
The Police Regional Office (PRO-6) is intensifying its campaign against loose firearms using a two-pronged strategy: the “soft-hand” and “iron-hand” approaches.
The soft-hand approach involves a courteous appeal to the community, encouraging individuals to voluntarily surrender or deposit firearms that have expired licenses or are without proper documentation, pending renewal of firearm licenses and License to Own and Possess Firearm (LTOPF).
Conversely, the iron-hand approach involves strict law enforcement through focused-targeted police operations, which include the application and execution of search warrants.
Lieutenant Colonel Arnel Solis, PRO-6 spokesperson, reported that in April alone, PRO-6 units executed 17 search warrants related to loose firearms. These operations resulted in the arrest of 15 individuals and the confiscation of 22 firearms and one explosive.
Breakdown of operations by unit includes the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) conducting seven statistical operations, Capiz PPO four, Iloilo PPO two, and Antique PPO, Iloilo City Police Office, Guimaras PPO, and Regional Mobile Force Battalion 6 conducting one each.
Overall, the month-long campaign has accounted for 363 firearms and 46 explosives. Of these, 68 firearms and one explosive were seized through the iron-hand approach, while 296 firearms and 45 explosives were surrendered or deposited through the soft-hand approach.
The Regional Civil Security Unit 6 (RCSU-6) noted that there are 30,715 firearms across the region that have yet to be renewed. Iloilo PPO recorded the highest number of unrenewed firearms at 6,417, followed by Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) with 5,153, and Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) with 5,057.
Other figures include Capiz PPO with 3,681, Aklan PPO with 1,854, Antique PPO with 1,813, and Guimaras PPO with 543. Surprisingly, Negros Occidental PPO recorded only 61 unrenewed firearms.
This indicates that a significant number of firearm holders have failed to renew their licenses, contrary to the standards and requisites mandated under Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act).
