PRO-6 cites Antique officials for loose firearms drive

ILOILO CITY — The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) has recognized local chief executives in Antique for supporting its campaign against loose firearms.

PRO-6 officials, led by Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño, presented plaques of appreciation to Gov. Paolo Everardo Javier, Antique lone district Rep. Antonio Agapito Legada Jr. and the mayors of the province’s 18 municipalities during a ceremony Wednesday, Oct. 14, at the Antique Police Provincial Office headquarters in San Jose de Buenavista.

Tuaño cited Antique officials for the success of Project RTT 3389, or Restrict, Track and Turn-in, a PRO-6 initiative aimed at strengthening firearms accountability and encouraging the proper turnover of loose firearms across Western Visayas’ 3,389 barangays.

Antique’s 590 barangays turned over a total of 641 loose firearms under the program.

Of the total, 456 were short firearms and 185 were long firearms.

“Ang ipinakita ng Antique ay patunay na kapag nagtutulungan ang pulis at komunidad, may konkretong resulta para sa kaligtasan ng ating mga kababayan. Ang pagkilalang ito ay para sa lahat ng nakipagtulungan at nagtiwala sa atin,” Tuaño said.

He stressed, however, that the responsibility of Antique residents did not end with the province’s 100% compliance with Project RTT.

“Natapos man natin ang accounting, nagpapatuloy ang ating responsibilidad. Kung may loose firearms pa sa inyong komunidad, hinihikayat namin kayong makipag-ugnayan sa pulisya para sa tamang turnover. Ang bawat baril na maa-account ay maaaring makatulong upang maiwasan ang isang posibleng trahedya,” he added.

Tuaño also reiterated the warning against the possession or use of unregistered firearms.

He encouraged individuals holding unlicensed firearms or guns with expired licenses to coordinate with the nearest police station or police office for their proper disposition.