Go all out vs loose firearms, PNP chief tells cops
PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil has ordered all 17 police regional offices to step-up their campaign against loose firearms ahead of the 2025 midterm elections, the Journal Group learned Saturday.
The PNP has also started its security preparations for the May 12, 2025 national and local elections and is going all-out against illegal guns and private armed groups.
According to PNP spokesperson, Colonel Jean S. Fajardo, their campaign against loose firearms from January 1 to October 2 has resulted in the seizure of 20,405 illegal guns and the arrest of 6,915 law offenders, who are now facing criminal charges for violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulations Act of 2013.
Col. Fajardo said the arrests and seizures were made as a result of numerous police operations during the period.
From January 12 to June 11, 2025, the Comelec will impose a nationwide ban on the unauthorized carrying of firearms. The 90-day campaign period for national candidates will start from February 11 to May 10 next year while local bets can campaign from March 28 to May 10.
Gen. Marbil ordered the stepped-up drive against private armed groups as well as illegal drugs and firearms as part of their preparations for the 2025 elections saying it is very important to target illegal firearms, drugs and private armed groups (PAGs) that could disrupt the democratic process.
In line with this, police have further intensified their Oplan: Katok aimed at accounting for guns with expired licenses and permits as well as the conduct of checkpoints and other police interventions to recover illegal firearms.
Last October 3, the president of the Association of Barangay Captains in Bulacan, Ramilito Capistrano, and his driver were gunned down by still unidentified assassin in Brgy. Ligas in Malolos City.
Police Regional Office 3 director, Brigadier Gen. Redrico A. Maranan said a Special Investigation Task Group is now working overtime to solve the case.
Col. Fajardo said they are not discounting the possibility that the killing of Capistrano is ‘work-related’ although it was too early to tell.
Capistrano was on his 3rd term as chairman of Bgy. Caingin in San Rafael, Bulacan and on his 2nd term as Bulacan ABC president.
He and his driver Shedrick Suarez were on board his SUV when killed in an ambush on Thursday evening.
“We are thoroughly exploring all angles to determine possible motives. Every available resource will be utilized to get to the bottom of this tragic event, and we are currently gathering evidence that will lead to the identification of the perpetrators,” Brig. Gen. Maranan said.
The victim’s SUV incurred more than 30 gunshots. Brig. Gen. Maranan assured the public and the victims’ families of a “swift resolution” of the case.
The deadly attack came as police nationwide were ordered by Gen. Marbil to further intensify their crackdown against illegal firearms and PAGs to ensure a peaceful and orderly conduct of the May 12, 2025 mid-term elections.
In Western Mindanao, Police Regional Office (PRO)-9 director Brig. Gen. Bowenn Joey M. Masauding said they are particularly targeting local gunsmiths who are behind the manufacture of home-made weapons that can be easily bought by lawless elements including drug traffickers, robbers and guns-for-hire members.
There are more than 14,000 firearms with unrenewed permits in the region, records showed.
The police started stepped-up implementation of the PNP Oplan: Katok in which they request holders of guns with expired permits to renew their papers or surrender them for safekeeping until they have renewed their LTOFPs and Certificates of Registration.
They have also sought the help of the PNP-CSG in holding ‘LTOFP Caravans’ aimed at assisting the public in getting or renewing their gun papers.
Before the May 2022 national and local elections, the National Task Force on the Disbandment of PAGS said over 130 armed groups are being monitored in Mindanao alone by authorities.
Gen. Marbil said he has ordered his men to further intensify their intelligence-gathering to keep a close eye on all potential private armed groups as well as syndicates involved in gunrunning.