PRO-6 launches Project TALA to track expired firearms

ILOILO CITY — The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) has launched another initiative as part of its intensified campaign against loose firearms in Western Visayas.

Dubbed Project TALA, the initiative operates under the Philippine National Police’s nationwide Accounting and Disposition of Firearms with Expired Registration (ADFER) campaign, strengthening efforts to trace, verify and account for 27,114 firearms with expired or unrenewed registrations across the region.

Project TALA, which stands for Tracking, Accounting and Lawful Disposition of Firearms with Expired Registration, serves as PRO-6’s regional operational identity for the ADFER campaign.

Police Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño, Western Visayas police chief, said the initiative would focus on locating registered firearm owners, verifying the status of their firearms and facilitating compliance with existing firearms laws and regulations.

Based on the latest consolidated report, PRO-6 has processed 6,640 notices, equivalent to 24.49 percent of the 27,114 firearms under monitoring.

The campaign has resulted in 1,256 firearms (4.63 percent) being deposited or turned in, while 312 (1.15 percent) were identified for renewal and 99 (0.37 percent) have already been renewed.

Another 100 firearms (0.37 percent) were reported sold and 424 (1.56 percent) were reported lost, subject to verification and appropriate documentation.

Tuaño said the campaign also aims to address discrepancies in firearm registration records and establish the actual status and whereabouts of firearms whose registrations have expired.

Police units across the region will continue their verification and coordination efforts involving the remaining 20,474 records, representing 75.51 percent of the regional baseline.

Under Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, as amended by Republic Act 11766, firearm owners may renew their licenses and firearm registrations every five or 10 years, depending on the validity period they select.

Failure to renew a firearm registration within the prescribed period can result in revocation, with the firearm subject to confiscation or forfeiture after due process.

Tuaño said Project TALA reinforces the responsibility that comes with lawful firearm ownership.

“Ang responsibilidad ng isang gun owner ay hindi natatapos sa unang pagpaparehistro ng kanyang baril. Kailangang panatilihing updated ang rehistro at matiyak na ang bawat baril ay may malinaw at legal na katayuan,” he said.

Through Project TALA, PRO-6 aims to identify and account for firearms with expired registrations before they can be used in criminal or illegal activities.

Tuaño also encouraged firearm owners with expired registrations to coordinate with the appropriate police offices and comply with the requirements for renewal or lawful disposition.

“Ang ating layunin ay hindi lamang magpadala ng notices kundi matiyak na may kaukulang aksyon sa bawat baril na hindi na-renew ang rehistro. Bawat baril ay dapat may tala, at bawat may-ari ay may pananagutan,” he said.