488 guns yielded for safekeeping in Ilocos Region

By Freddie Lazaro 

CAMP FLORENDO, La Union – Gun owners in the Ilocos region turned in 488 firearms to the police for safekeeping.

Romulo E. Sapitula, Ilocos police chief, said the firearms were handed over Thursday in a simple rite at the Police Regional Office.

Sapitula said Regional Civil Security Unit will serve as the repository of the surrendered guns.

Fourteen firearms were surrendered by the gun owners, who were no longer interested in having guns, and 474 were deposited to the police for safekeeping while their licenses are being processed.

Sapitula said Oplan Katok is the police campaign to collect firearms to thwart violence during the May elections.

Under the campaign, police officers visit firearm holders with expired licenses, Sapitula said.

“The surrendered and deposited firearms are just a tip of the iceberg and there are more firearms that need to be accounted,” he said.

Sapitula ordered his men to advise gun holders to become responsible gun owners.

Two firearms were surrendered in Ilocos Norte, 12 in Ilocos Sur, 31 in Ilocos Norte, 50 in Ilocos Sur, 97 in La Union and 296 in Pangasinan.

The firearms were turned over by 41 politicians, 36 candidates and 411 civilians.

Mary Crytsal Peralta, Ilocos police information officer, said they are trying to account for the 38,042 firearms with expired licenses as of last Dec. 31.

Peralta said 5,405 of the loose guns are in Ilocos Norte, 6,242 in Ilocos Sur, 5,138 in La Union and 21,257 in Pangasinan.