GENERAL SANTOS CITY — The Police Regional Office 12 (PRO 12) intensified its campaign against loose and unauthorized firearms across the region, conducting eight operations and related activities from October 2 to 3, 2026 that resulted in the arrest of one individual and the recovery of eight firearms.
Police authorities said the operations were carried out in different areas of Region 12, with firearms accounted for in Sarangani, South Cotabato, Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat.
Of the eight firearms accounted for during the two-day campaign, one was confiscated during a police operation, while seven others were voluntarily surrendered, deposited for safekeeping, or turned over to police units by their respective holders.
Among the firearms seized was a .357 Magnum revolver recovered during a buy-bust operation in Polomolok, South Cotabato. The operation also led to the arrest of a suspect identified by police as alias “Jatj-at.”
The police said the other seven firearms were brought under police custody through voluntary surrender, deposit, or turnover, reinforcing the authorities’ continuing effort to reduce the number of firearms circulating outside the legal regulatory system.
PRO 12 said all recovered, surrendered, deposited, and turned-over firearms were placed under the custody of the concerned police units for proper documentation, verification, safekeeping, and disposition in accordance with existing procedures.
House-to-House Firearms Validation
Beyond the actual confiscation and surrender of firearms, PRO 12 also continued its ADFER/Revitalized KATOK initiative, conducting 29 house visitations covering 34 firearms during the same period.
The house-to-house activities were undertaken to verify the status and whereabouts of firearms recorded in police databases and to encourage firearm owners to comply with registration and other legal requirements.
Of the 34 firearms covered by the visitations, police reported that:
- 1 firearm had renewed registration;
- 3 firearms were undergoing registration renewal;
- 6 firearms had been deposited for safekeeping;
- 7 firearms were found to have other verified statuses; and
- 17 firearms were not inspected.
The figures underscore the challenge faced by law enforcement in accounting for firearms that remain outside direct police inspection or whose ownership and registration status still require verification.
PRO 12 said the continuing house visitations are part of its broader effort to ensure that firearms are properly registered, accounted for, and kept only by individuals legally authorized to possess them.
Police Urge Voluntary Surrender
Regional Director PBGEN Alan B. Manibog reiterated the police command’s call for firearm holders who are in possession of unregistered or unauthorized guns to voluntarily surrender them to the nearest police station.
“Patuloy nating palalakasin ang kampanya laban sa loose firearms,” Manibog said, urging individuals holding unregistered or unauthorized firearms to coordinate with the nearest police station and surrender the weapons properly.
“Ang bawat armas na ating nailalayo sa maling paggamit ay dagdag na hakbang para sa mas ligtas na komunidad,” he added.
The latest operations form part of PRO 12’s continuing campaign to prevent loose firearms from being used in crimes, armed confrontations, intimidation, and other violent incidents.
Police authorities emphasized that voluntary surrender and proper firearm documentation remain important components of the campaign, alongside enforcement operations targeting individuals who continue to possess or circulate unauthorized firearms.
With firearms still posing a significant security concern in various communities, PRO 12 said it would continue combining law-enforcement operations, firearm validation, house visitations, and public cooperation to account for loose firearms and prevent them from falling into the wrong hands.