1,432 loose firearms seized

Police units in Region 12 have recovered 1,432 loose firearms in the last six months, officials said over the weekend.

Supt. Aldrin Gonzales, public information officer of the Police Regional Office-12 (PRO-12), said a total of 971 firearms were surrendered voluntarily by residents while 461 were seized in various operations since January.

Gonzales said 722 of these were classified as low-powered firearms and 710 as high-powered firearms.

“The accounted loose firearms comprised the PRO-12’s target in the entire region for the period,” he said.

Region 12 comprises the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and North Cotabato, and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato.

For the surrendered firearms, Gonzales said the Sultan Kudarat Police Provincial Office (PPO) posted the highest haul with 827 – 625 of which were surrendered and 202 were seized during operations. PNA