COTABATO PROVINCE — The Cotabato Police Provincial Office (CPPO) recorded 20 law enforcement operations, arrested three individuals, and accounted for 20 loose firearms and 15 rounds of ammunition during a one-day intensified campaign on October 9, 2026.
The enforcement drive, conducted under the leadership of Police Colonel Ramel B. Hojilla, formed part of the provincial police office’s continuing efforts to curb the proliferation and possession of loose firearms and strengthen public safety across the province.
The operations consisted of five search warrant operations, five Oplan Katok activities, and 10 Tugro/Bilang Boga operations, reflecting the police force’s intensified efforts to enforce firearms regulations and address the presence of unlicensed or improperly documented weapons in communities.
The campaign resulted in the apprehension of three individuals as police units carried out their operations. Authorities also accounted for 20 loose firearms, with five confiscated during the operations, 10 voluntarily surrendered, and five deposited with authorities for safekeeping.
In addition to the firearms, the police recorded 15 rounds of ammunition as part of the enforcement results.
The different dispositions of the recovered firearms highlight the campaign’s combination of direct law enforcement, voluntary compliance, and safekeeping measures. While confiscation involves the seizure of firearms during police operations, voluntary surrender allows individuals to turn over weapons to authorities, while depositing firearms for safekeeping helps prevent their unauthorized use.
The CPPO emphasized that the sustained implementation of these operations demonstrates its commitment to enforcing firearms laws, preventing gun-related incidents, and maintaining peace and security in communities throughout Cotabato province.
The presence of loose firearms remains a public safety concern because unauthorized weapons can potentially be used in criminal activities, personal disputes, and other violent incidents. Police enforcement efforts, combined with public cooperation, are therefore considered important in reducing the risks associated with the uncontrolled possession of firearms.
The provincial police office reiterated its commitment to sustaining its campaign against loose firearms and encouraging compliance with applicable firearms laws as part of its broader efforts to protect residents and promote safer communities.
Authorities have yet to provide further details about the identities of the three individuals apprehended, the specific locations of the operations, or the cases they may face.