By Ahikam Pasion/PNA
DAGUPAN CITY — Some 2,237 unlicensed and undocumented firearms are under the custody of the Pangasinan Police Provincial Office (PPO) as of April 2, following its strengthened drive against loose firearms to prevent election-related violence.
Insp. Ria Tacderan, information officer of the PPO, said the police is continuously implementing province-wide Oplan Katok operations, and issues search warrants for unlicensed and unrenewed firearms.
“Currently, there are 2,237 unlicensed and undocumented firearms under the custody of the PPO. These are placed in supply rooms of police stations for safekeeping,” Tacderan said in an interview Wednesday.
She, however, assured that storage rooms for confiscated firearms “are under close surveillance 24/7.”
Gun owners who surrendered their firearms for safekeeping may retrieve them once they provide proper documents pertaining to the renewal of their license.
Tacderan estimated that there are 20,000 loose firearms in the province, which could potentially be used for violence and crimes.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has identified the towns of Balungao and Rosales as election hotspots under orange category, or election areas of immediate concern, in Pangasinan.
“Based on Comelec Resolution No. 10501 dated March 14, 2019, from the five election areas of immediate concern, only Balungao and Rosales remained, while Bayambang, Sto. Tomas and Urbiztondo were downgraded to the yellow category or election areas of concern,” Tacderan said in recent interview.
Col. Wilson Lopez, provincial police director, said these towns and cities are being closely watched by the PPO because of intense political rivalries among candidates.
“Expect more police checkpoints (during) this period,” he said in a separate interview.