Article by:
Richelyn Gubalani
GENERAL SANTOS CITY – Authorities have managed to gather 102 unregistered and unlicensed guns following an intensified campaign against loose firearms in this city as part of the government effort to ensure the conduct of a peaceful May 9 election here.
In an interview Tuesday, Col. Paul Bometivo, acting city police director, said the firearms have been collected since January this year under the police’s Oplan “Katok” program.
“Gun holders who failed to re-register their firearms have to surrender their licensed guns to authorities as it is already considered loose,” Bometivo said.
Bometivo also advised legitimate gun owners who want to update their license to own and possess firearms, as well as an exemption to the existing election gun ban, to visit the nearest police station for guidance.
An election gun ban has been enforced since January 9 in connection with the upcoming elections.
Bometivo said Oplan Katok aims to "ensure that the conduct of the upcoming national and local polls in our place will be safe and secure because we know that most crimes committed in our area are done with the use of firearms."
Bometivo said most of the assorted firearms surrendered or confiscated were .45-caliber and 9mm pistols, adding that the program entails house-to-house visits to convince residents to yield their unlicensed guns.
Gun holders have been directed by the police to re-register their firearms as required under Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act to eliminate the proliferation of loose firearms, he added. (PNA)
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