The Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 (Central Visayas) has pledged to conduct more operations against loose firearms as the Barangay and Sanggunian Kabataan Election period starts on Monday. Lt. Col. Gerard Ace Pelare, spokesperson of PRO-7, said the intensified anti-criminality and law enforcement campaign is to prevent criminals from sowing terror or violence during the election period. Pelare said they have also stepped up their intelligence and community engagements to immediately identify individuals suspected of owning loose firearms and prevent them from disrupting the conduct of a peaceful and orderly political exercise. Perale said in police operations conducted from Aug. 20 to 21, Central Visayas seized 110 loose firearms while 75 persons were arrested and are facing charges of violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act. He urged the public to report to the authorities if they find individuals possessing undocumented firearms. ‘All of us are part of the preparation for the barangay and SK elections,’ he added, citing the PRO-7’s objective of having a zero-violence election in the region this year.
Source: Philippines News Agency
