SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union – The stern implementation of the PRO1’s (Police Regional Office 1) campaign against loose firearms dubbed as “One-Time Big Bang” (OTBB) resulted to a remarkable accomplishment after the arrest of 24 persons and confiscation of 13 firearms since the start of the gun ban on January 10 to January 17, 2016.
Chief Superintendent Ericson T. Velasquez, Acting Regional Director of PRO1, said the police served 25 “shock and awe” operations aided with Search Warrants to the suspected targets all over the region.
Based on report, 5 firearms were confiscated and 10 persons were arrested by Pangasinan police; 3 firearms and 8 persons by La Union police; 1 firearm and 2 persons by Ilocos Sur police; 1 firearm and 2 persons by Ilocos Norte police; and 3 firearms and 2 persons by the Regional Criminal Investigation and Detective Unit 1 (RCIDU1).
Velasquez said the 25 OTBB operations conducted is just a part of the planned police operations to ensure the public that Region 1 police is serious in its campaign particularly in hauling loose and unregistered firearms that could be used during the election period.
“I ordered our operatives on the ground to intensify more their operations against loose and unregistered firearms especially that gun ban is now in effect.” Velasquez added.
The PRO1’s OTBB is an aggressive operations targeting unregistered/unlicensed firearms possessed by threat groups, criminal elements to include irresponsible gun owners with expired and unrenewed licenses.
The OTBB also focuses in dismantling existing and emerging Private Armed Groups (PAGs) and firearms holders associated with unscrupulous politicians.
On the enforcement of COMELEC Gun Ban, PRO1 arrested 12 violators and confiscated nine (9) assorted firearms mostly during buy-bust and checkpoint operations.
Meanwhile, a total of 50 candidates for the 2016 national and local elections deposited their firearms for safekeeping and in support to PRO1’s advocacy for a secured and fair election (SAFE 2016).
According to Velasquez, 79 assorted firearms were deposited by some elected and government officials and candidates for elective positions since January 10 wherein 13 in Ilocos Norte, 10 in Ilocos Sur, 49 in La Union and 7 in Pangasinan.
By Dexter A. See