DIPOLOG CITY — A 49-year-old man from Dapitan City voluntarily surrendered an unregistered homemade firearm to authorities on April 2, 2026, in a move that the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) says underscores growing public cooperation in its crackdown on loose firearms.
In a report, the PNP-HPG, under the leadership of Rommel S. Batangan, said the firearm was turned over at the office of the Provincial Highway Patrol Team–Zamboanga del Norte (PHPT-ZDN) located at Eco Park in Upper Turno, Dipolog City.
Personnel of PHPT-Zamboanga del Norte received one homemade .45 caliber pistol without a serial number from the resident, who personally coordinated with authorities prior to the surrender. Police did not disclose the identity of the individual, but noted that the act was voluntary and done without coercion.
Authorities said the surrender forms part of the government’s intensified campaign against loose firearms under the KONTRA BOGA program, which aims to reduce the proliferation of unregistered and illegally modified weapons. The initiative is backed by sustained community engagement, dialogue, and localized efforts to encourage civilians to turn over unlicensed firearms.
The surrendered weapon is now under the custody of PHPT-Zamboanga del Norte for documentation and proper handling. It will later be transferred to the Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Forensic Unit for ballistic examination to determine whether it has been used in any criminal activity.
Batangan emphasized that public cooperation remains a crucial component in ensuring the success of law enforcement operations against illegal firearms.
“The success of our campaign against loose firearms is greatly strengthened by the cooperation of the public. Voluntary surrender initiatives help prevent the potential misuse of unregistered weapons and contribute to safer communities,” he said.
The PNP-HPG continues to urge the public to support anti-criminality efforts by surrendering unlicensed firearms and coordinating with authorities for their proper disposition.
As part of its broader mandate, the Highway Patrol Group reiterated its commitment to maintaining public safety and order, not only through traffic law enforcement but also through intelligence-driven operations aimed at curbing criminality linked to firearms and motor vehicles.