Philippine National Police Chief Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. on Wednesday directed police commanders nationwide to intensify community engagement in efforts to recover loose firearms.

The directive follows the turnover of 25 firearms and explosive materials to the PNP during a ceremony at Camp Crame in Quezon City on 9 December.

The surrendered items included four 7.62 M14 rifles, one 5.56 Colt M4 rifle, four .30 high-performance rifles, three .45 Grease submachine guns, one 9mm SIG submachine gun M10, and 12 twelve-gauge shotguns.

Also turned over were 40 rounds of 7.62 ammunition, 30 rounds of 5.56 ammunition, magazines for various calibers, 12 rounds of 40mm grenade launcher ammunition, and three fragmentation hand grenades.

Additionally, 12 explosives remain under the custody of the Regional Explosives and Canine Unit 11 in Davao for secure disposal due to air transport restrictions.

During the turnover ceremony, Nartatez cited the example of Jess Martinez, chairperson of the IMEG Advisory Group, for surrendering his collection of firearms. He noted that public reporting of illegal firearms can help make police operations more targeted and effective.

“Operations against loose firearms are more productive when information comes directly from the community,” Nartatez said. “The surrendered firearms, if misused, could have posed serious threats through criminal activity.”