14 loose guns seized by Mandaue City cops

CEBU, Philippines —  At least 14 loose firearms were confiscated and recovered by the Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) during the local implementation of the Philippine National Police (PNP)’s “Oplan Katok” campaign.

Oplan-Katok is a program of the PNP where police authorities go house-to-house to visit firearm holders who have not renewed their gun license yet. If the owner decides not to renew the license, the guns will be confiscated.

MCPO said five of the confiscated guns were sold by the owners to different buyers without proper documents.

It said gun owners could not easily put their firearms on sale if the buyer has no license to also possess firearms.

Now, the five seized guns were given to different police offices and stations in regions 7 and 9.

Based on MCPO’s records, a total of 52 firearms with expired licenses were illegally sold.

Section 41 of Republic Act No. 10591 (The Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act) prohibits and penalizes any person who will transfer the possession of a firearm to another person without the legal documents.

MCPO said illegally-owned firearms can be used in criminal acts, especially during the election period.

“As the holiday season and election period is fast approaching, MCPO will further expand its operations against personalities involved in the proliferation of loose firearms in the city.”

“This is to avert its use by any individual, gang, and/ or private armed group in criminal activities such as murder, robbery, and extortions,” MCPO said in a statement.

Police Colonel Roland Bulalaco, MCPO city director, warned those who possess loose firearms to surrender or to turn over them to the nearest police stations.

Search warrants would be served on these gun owners if they would not renew the licenses of their firearms or turn over the firearms to the police stations. — KQD (FREEMAN)