THE Police Regional Office (PRO)-2, headed by Brigadier General Antonio P. Marallag Jr., is stepping-up its campaign against loose firearms in Cagayan Valley ahead of the May 12, 2025 elections, the Journal Group learned.

Last week, the PRO-2 presented around 4,000 illegal guns seized over the past five years.

The weapons are classified as Captured, Surrendered, Deposited, Abandoned and Forfeited Firearms (CCSDAF) which will be eventually subjected to demilitarization by the Philippine National Police in order to prevent them from being used in illegal activities in the future.

He added that the guns will be turned over to the Regional Civil Security Unit.

The PRO-2 director reported to Philippine National Police chief, General Rommel Francisco Marbil that they are fully coordinating their election security preparations with the Commission on Elections Region 2 headed by Attorney Ederlino U. Tabilas, the Philippine Army’s 502nd Brigade and the Philippine Coast Guard District North Eastern Luzon.

Tabilas is the chairman of the Region 2 RJSCC while Marallag is its vice-chairman.

Brig. Gen. Marallag assured Cagayan Valley residents they would be further heightening their security measures in the region with the conduct of an intensified drive against violators of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulations Act of 2013 and the PNP Oplan: Katok which encourages holders of firearms with expired licenses to renew their permits on a given period or be subjected to proper police actions.

Before the October 30, 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections, the previous PRO-2 leadership identified Aparri, Buguey, Tuao, Amulung, Penablanca, Enrile, Gonzaga, Rizal and Baggao in Cagayan as ‘election areas of concern.’

Some of these areas have a history of election-related violence in previous elections, threats and intimidations involving candidates as well as the presence of armed groups.

Brig. Gen. Marallag said he has ordered all police units in Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino and Batanes as well as the chartered cities of Cauayan, Ilagan, Santiago and Tuguegarao to continue monitoring the situation in those areas, specifically the presence of loose firearms that may be used as an ‘instrument of violence’ in next year’s elections.

Last week, PRO-2 agents arrested a 76-year old widower engaged in the repair of air guns in Dupax del Norte, Nueva Vizcaya after a court-authorized search of his residence led to the recovery of a cache of illegal firearms and ammunition.

The suspect, identified as Celedonio Rivera, is a resident of Abbagu St., Purok Mahiwaga, Brgy. Inban, Dupax del Norte.

Brig. Gen. Marallag said the widower was apprised of his constitutional rights before being taken to the Dupax del Norte police station for further investigation and filing of charges.

The recovered pieces of evidence were also brought to the same station for safekeeping, he said.

Last Friday, police in Pamplona, Cagayan also arrested a 49-year old farmer from Zone 3, Brgy. Curva following a raid on his residence.

The suspect, identified as Narding Supatan, yielded a cal .38 revolver with 60 live ammunition, a cal. 9mm Carbine pistol with a sling, a suppressor and two magazines containing 125 rounds of live 9mm ammunition and two pieces of M72 grenades.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon