Police Regional Office 1 (PRO 1) accounted for 158 firearms across the Ilocos Region during a weeklong series of operations from August 15 to 21, 2026, resulting in the arrest of nine individuals for violations of firearms-related laws.

Police units conducted 11 operations during the period as part of the regionwide effort to strengthen enforcement of firearms laws and prevent the misuse of weapons in criminal and other unlawful activities.

Of the 158 firearms accounted for, 119 were voluntarily surrendered, 32 were deposited for safekeeping, six were confiscated, and one was recovered by police.

PRO 1 Regional Director PBGEN Jovencio S. Badua Jr. said the police force would continue strengthening efforts to secure firearms and ensure compliance with existing regulations.

“Securing firearms is not only about enforcing the law, but also about reducing the opportunity for these weapons to be misused,” Badua said.

He also urged firearm owners and the public to cooperate with authorities and comply with existing regulations, saying such cooperation forms part of the shared responsibility to keep communities safe.