PNP seizes more than10k guns

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday said it has confiscated more than 10,000 loose firearms across the country from January 1 to May 7 this year.

In a statement, PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. said the campaign aims to curb the proliferation of loose firearms that pose a threat to public safety and security.

During the period, intensified operations resulted in the arrest of 3,208 individuals and the recovery, surrender, or confiscation of 10,214 firearms in violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

“Accounting of loose firearms and arrest of wanted persons are the centerpiece actions of the anti-criminality cam- paign that the PNP is waging. Firearms as instruments of crime and the players that put into action the criminal motive are the factors that largely contribute to the commission of a crime. If we can take away these instruments of crime and the persons behind it, then we have effectively prevented crime,” Acorda said.

He added the PNP’s efforts to secure the public from the dangers of loose firearms have also resulted in 5,608 firearms being turned in for safekeeping by responsible owners.

Moreover, the PNP has filed 1,582 cases in court against violators of the law, ensuring that justice will be served to those who have put the lives of the public at risk through the use of loose firearms.