CABADBARAN CITY, Agusan del Norte — The intensified campaign against loose firearms in Agusan del Norte has resulted in the voluntary surrender of two firearms, including a caliber .38 revolver and a caliber .45 pistol with two magazines and 21 live rounds of ammunition, as police authorities continued their peace and security operations across the province.
The turn-ins were recorded on September 28, 2026, as the Agusan del Norte Police Provincial Office (ADNPPO) resumed its Revitalized Katok Operation, a campaign aimed at locating firearm holders with expired licenses or firearm registrations and encouraging them to comply with existing firearms regulations.
The first firearm voluntarily surrendered was a caliber .38 revolver without ammunition in Cabadbaran City. Police said the surrender formed part of the continuing monitoring and actual visits being conducted by personnel of the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company to firearm holders whose Licenses to Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPF) or firearm registrations have expired.
On the same day, personnel of the Cabadbaran Component City Police Station facilitated the voluntary surrender of a caliber .45 pistol, two magazines and 21 live rounds of ammunition from a 37-year-old married male miner identified only as alias “Jun,” a resident of Purok 4, Barangay Bayabas, Cabadbaran City.
Police authorities said the voluntary surrender was part of the province’s continuing peace and security efforts and intensified campaign to account for firearms that are no longer covered by valid licenses or registrations.
Provincial Director Police Colonel Ruel M. Cagape said police personnel are actively monitoring firearm holders and conducting visits to those with expired LTOPF licenses and firearm registrations.
The ADNPPO urged firearm owners and holders whose licenses or registrations have expired to take the necessary steps to renew their documents or voluntarily surrender their firearms to the nearest police station.
“One less unauthorized firearm means greater safety for all. We encourage all eligible holders to comply with the law and surrender expired or unregistered firearms. Your cooperation is vital in securing a peaceful Agusan del Norte,” Cagape said.
The police provincial office also reminded the public that the possession of firearms is regulated under Republic Act No. 10591, or the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
Under the law, a loose firearm includes an unregistered firearm; a firearm with an obliterated or altered identification; a lost or stolen firearm; an illegally manufactured firearm; a registered firearm possessed by someone other than its licensed owner; or a firearm whose license has been revoked in accordance with existing laws, rules and regulations.
Police officials continue to encourage firearm holders to address expired licenses and registrations before they become a source of legal problems or security risks.
The ADNPPO said the continuing Revitalized Katok Operation is intended not only to account for firearms but also to strengthen compliance with firearms regulations and help reduce the number of unauthorized or improperly documented firearms in communities across Agusan del Norte.