CABADBARAN CITY, Agusan del Norte — The intensified campaign against loose firearms in Agusan del Norte yielded three firearms and 13 rounds of live ammunition voluntarily surrendered to police authorities in separate activities across the province on October 10, 2026, as law enforcement officials renewed their call for firearm holders to comply with licensing and registration requirements.
The Agusan del Norte Police Provincial Office (ADNPPO) reported that the recoveries involved an INGRAM pistol, a .38-caliber revolver, and a .357-caliber revolver. The turn-ins were facilitated through the resumption of the Revitalized Katok Operation and other peace and security initiatives implemented by police units in the province.
In Cabadbaran City, personnel of the Cabadbaran Component City Police Station received one INGRAM pistol, one magazine, and 10 rounds of live ammunition during the renewed implementation of the Revitalized Katok Operation. Police personnel have been conducting monitoring activities and actual visits to firearm holders whose Licenses to Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPFs) or firearm registrations have expired.
Meanwhile, personnel of the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC) facilitated the voluntary surrender of one .38-caliber revolver and one round of live ammunition from a 53-year-old married male farmer identified by the alias “Car,” a resident of Barangay Rojales, Carmen, Agusan del Norte. The firearm was turned over following peace and security operations in the province.
In a separate development, the Santiago Municipal Police Station recorded the voluntary turn-in of one .357-caliber revolver along with two rounds of live ammunition during the resumption of the Revitalized Katok Operation in Santiago, Agusan del Norte.
The three separate turn-ins brought the total to three firearms and 13 rounds of ammunition surrendered to authorities on the same day. Police said the activities form part of their continuing efforts to reduce the circulation of unauthorized firearms and strengthen public safety in local communities.
Provincial Director Police Colonel Ruel M. Cagape emphasized that voluntary surrender demonstrates a firearm holder’s willingness to cooperate with authorities and comply with the law. He urged individuals with expired firearm licenses or registrations to renew their documents when legally eligible or voluntarily turn over firearms that are no longer properly licensed or registered to the nearest police station.
Under Republic Act No. 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, loose firearms include unregistered firearms, firearms with obliterated or altered identification, lost or stolen firearms, illegal firearms, registered firearms possessed by individuals other than their licensed owners, and firearms whose licenses have been revoked in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
The police provincial office reiterated that the campaign is intended not only to enforce firearms regulations but also to prevent unauthorized weapons from contributing to criminal activity, violence, and threats to community security.
Cagape called on residents to work with law enforcement authorities in promoting peace and responsible firearm ownership, stressing that voluntary compliance can help reduce the number of unauthorized weapons circulating in the province.
The ADNPPO encouraged all firearm holders to check the validity of their licenses and registrations and coordinate with the nearest police station regarding the appropriate legal steps for renewal or voluntary surrender.
Authorities said sustained cooperation between the police and local communities remains essential to maintaining peace and security throughout Agusan del Norte.