CEBU, Philippines — At least 32 loose firearms were surrendered to the police in Tuburan town after the municipal government and the Philippine National Police urged the barangay captains to help them convince their constituents to turn over unregistered guns in preparation for the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.
Police Superintendent Melbert Glade Esguerra, Tuburan Police Station chief, said that 24 of the 54 barangays heeded the request. Earlier, Esguerra and Tuburan Mayor Democrito “Aljun” Diamante met with the barangay captains and requested all of them to help ensure peaceful and clean barangay elections by asking their constituents to surrender their unlicensed guns.
“Ang atong intention nga sa umaabot nga election kay malinawon kining mapatuman, malayo ang atong katawhan sa kagubot ug krimen,” said Esguerra.
Esguerra said most of the firearms turned over to them were caliber .38 revolver, .45 pistol, KG9 machine pistol, and improvised shotgun. The police are also expecting the remaining barangays to follow suit.
“Naay nireport namo nga kapitan nga aduna kuno ang uban kay mahadlok i-surrender ang ilang pusil kay mahadlok dakpon, unta sa karon nga ilang nakita dili na sila mahadlok,” Esguerra said.
According to Esguerra, the people can surrender their firearms to their respective barangay captain if they are afraid to go to the police station.
“Amo gyud ni sila gihangyo nga suruyon ang ilang barangay ug hangyuon ang ilang mga constituents,” Esguerra added.
Diamante said he supports the campaign of the PNP against loose firearms.
“Angayang suportahan ang mga programa sa gobiyerno kay kini para sa kaayuhan sa katawhan. Ilabi na gyud ni ang paghupot sa armas nga walay rehistro… mas maayo nga makalikay ang mga anaa sa katungdanan nga makabuhat og kasaypanan,” Diamante said. — FPL (FREEMAN)