PRO-NIR intensifies campaign against loose firearms

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Police Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, director of Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region, underscored the significance of intensified operations against loose firearms for crime deterrence.

The regional office implemented 11 search-warrant operations against loose firearms in September, aiming to end shooting incidents and reduce firearm-related violence.

Strict law enforcement also enables authorities to bring offenders to justice and safeguard communities, according to Ibay.

The monthlong operations included eight from the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) and three from the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NORPPO).

In Negros Occidental, a 42-year-old laborer was arrested in a gun raid in Barangay Sewahon 1, Sagay City, on Sept. 1, leading to the recovery of a .38-caliber revolver and three rounds of live ammunition.

The following day, a 47-year-old Indian national lending collector was apprehended in Barangay 2, Sagay City, resulting in the confiscation of a .357-caliber revolver and three rounds of ammunition.

On Sept. 9, a 34-year-old man was arrested in Barangay RSB, La Carlota City, after authorities seized a 12-gauge homemade shotgun, one round of ammunition, and three sachets of suspected shabu worth PHP 6,800.

Two days later, a 46-year-old man was arrested in Barangay 6, Victorias City, after he allegedly yielded a .38-caliber revolver and five rounds of live ammunition.

On Sept. 16, a search warrant was implemented in Barangay East, Candoni, against a 42-year-old laborer, and police recovered a homemade .38-caliber revolver and four rounds of live ammunition, but the suspect remains at large.

Four days later, police confiscated a .45-caliber pistol, two magazines, and 26 rounds of ammunition from a 42-year-old man in Barangay I, Ilog.

In La Castellana, a 41-year-old carpenter was arrested in Barangay Sag-ang on Sept. 25 following the recovery of an improvised revolver and two rounds of live ammunition for caliber 5.56.

In Kabankalan City, a 51-year-old fruit vendor was arrested in Barangay 1 on Sept. 28 for the seizure of a .45-caliber pistol, two magazines, 14 rounds of ammunition, a .22-caliber Black Widow revolver, four rounds of ammunition, seven sachets of suspected shabu, two improvised glass tooters, and an improvised plastic straw scoop.

The suspect was also listed by police as the No. 2 drug personality in Kabankalan City.

Police operations against loose firearms in Negros Oriental included the arrest of a 52-year-old man in Barangay 7, Tanjay City, on Sept. 4; a 42-year-old man in Barangay Apolong, Valencia, on Sept. 9; and another man in Barangay Maningcao, Sibulan, on Sept. 13.

The recoveries included two .45-caliber pistols, three magazines, 25 rounds of live ammunition, a .38-caliber revolver, and six rounds of live ammunition.

Ibay lauded the police units for their dedication and emphasized that the campaign against loose firearms remains a vital component in sustaining peace and order in the region.

He reminded firearm holders to strictly comply with regulations by securing the necessary permits and licenses.

He also encouraged the public to support voluntary surrender initiatives such as Oplan Katok to avoid legal consequences and promote responsible firearm ownership.

Through these accomplishments, PRO–NIR reaffirmed its commitment to the people of Negros Island and Siquijor, assuring them of the command’s relentless pursuit of anti-criminality measures.