BUTUAN CITY, Philippines — Thirteen loose firearms were voluntarily surrendered to police units across the Caraga Region on October 10 as the Police Regional Office 13 (PRO13) intensified its campaign against unlicensed and improperly registered firearms, authorities reported Sunday.
The voluntary surrender of the firearms followed the police regional office’s continued appeal for residents to turn over unlicensed firearms and weapons with expired licenses to their respective local police units, as part of efforts to strengthen public safety, maintain peace and order, and prevent the potential misuse of illegally possessed weapons.
Police Brigadier General Rolindo M. Suguilon, PRO13 regional director, reported that the surrendered firearms were received by four police offices across the region. The Butuan City Police Office (BCPO) accounted for the largest number, receiving five firearms.
The Agusan del Sur Police Provincial Office received four firearms, followed by the Agusan del Norte Police Provincial Office with three. The Surigao del Sur Police Provincial Office received one firearm, bringing the total number of voluntarily surrendered weapons to 13.
According to PRO13, the firearms are now under the custody of the police units that received them while the necessary procedures for registration and/or the issuance of appropriate licenses are being processed, as applicable.
Suguilon reiterated the importance of public cooperation in addressing the proliferation of loose firearms, warning that the possession of unlicensed or unregistered weapons could undermine community safety and expose their possessors to possible legal consequences.
“We continue to urge the public to voluntarily surrender loose firearms to their local police units to avoid possible legal consequences. Possession of unlicensed or unregistered firearms poses a threat to the peace, order, and security in our communities. We encourage everyone to comply with the law and work with the police in keeping our region safe,” Suguilon said.
The PRO13 campaign seeks to encourage firearm owners to comply with applicable laws and regulations while strengthening police efforts to account for firearms that are not properly licensed or registered.
Authorities continue to call on residents throughout Caraga to coordinate with their local police units regarding the proper surrender, registration, or licensing of firearms, as applicable.
The regional police office emphasized that public cooperation remains an important component of efforts to prevent the illegal possession and possible misuse of firearms and to maintain safer communities across the region.