Antique police reach 100% Project TALA accounting target

By Jennifer P. Rendon

ILOILO CITY – The Antique Police Provincial Office (APPO) has achieved 100% of its accounting target under the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) Project TALA, an initiative aimed at monitoring firearms with expired registrations.

The Antique PPO accounted for all 84 records, with 78 notices successfully served and six cases classified as unable to locate, leaving zero unserved notices against its monitoring baseline.

Antique is the second province in Western Visayas, after Guimaras, to complete its target under Project TALA (Tracking, Accounting, and Lawful Disposition of Firearms with Expired Registration), which supports the Philippine National Police’s nationwide Accounting and Disposition of Firearms with Expired Registration (ADFER) initiative.

The accomplishment was made possible through the cooperation of concerned firearm owners.

Records showed that 41 firearms were deposited or turned in, 20 were processed for renewal and six had renewed registrations, while others were accounted for through changes of address, reports of loss, transfers of ownership and other circumstances.

Police Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño, Western Visayas police chief, emphasized that the achievement goes beyond meeting a numerical target.

He pointed out that it reflects the importance of consistent police coordination with local government units, barangay officials and firearm owners in promoting responsible firearm ownership and ensuring that firearms remain properly documented and accounted for.

Tuaño stressed that the initiative is not merely about serving notices but also about establishing accountability and encouraging firearm owners to fulfill their legal responsibilities.

“Every firearm record we account for is one less uncertainty in our communities. We want firearm owners to understand that keeping their registration updated is part of responsible ownership,” he said.

Tuaño also assured the public that police would continue to assist and guide firearm owners through the proper processes while ensuring that every record receives appropriate attention.

Meanwhile, PRO-6 again reminded firearm owners to regularly check the validity of their firearm registrations and coordinate with the nearest police station or the appropriate Firearms and Explosives Office for guidance on renewal, deposit, surrender or other lawful disposition.

The public was likewise encouraged to report information concerning unregistered or unlawfully possessed firearms to authorities.

Project TALA operates under the Philippine National Police’s nationwide ADFER campaign, strengthening efforts to trace, verify and account for 27,114 firearms with expired or unrenewed registrations across Western Visayas.

It serves as PRO-6’s regional operational framework for the ADFER campaign.

Under Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, as amended by Republic Act 11766, firearm owners are required to maintain valid licenses and registrations, with renewal periods determined by the validity options allowed under the law.

Failure to renew firearm registrations within the prescribed period may result in revocation and eventual confiscation or forfeiture after due process.