MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Debold Sinas yesterday ordered police officers to intensify operations against loose firearms.
Sinas issued the directive after a person was killed, 70 others arrested and 107 unlicensed firearms were seized during simultaneous operations in Caraga.
The 107 firearms were a 5.56mm assault rifle, two 9mm KG-9 submachine guns, a .30 carbine rifle, 32 .45 caliber pistols, three 9mm pistols, 54 .38 caliber revolvers, 13 shotguns and a .22 caliber rifle.
“The police are ensuring the public’s safety by taking away loose firearms in the hands of criminal elements, threat groups and unauthorized individuals,” he said in a statement.
The suspect, whom Sinas did not identify, was killed during an alleged shootout with policemen in Surigao del Sur.
Sinas said the Caraga police operatives served 82 search warrants on suspected criminals in possession of loose firearms, including suspected communist rebels and their associates.
“Some of these search warrants were also focused on known supporters and affiliates of communist terrorist groups,” he said.