Pinoys need to support PNP’s all-out drive vs illegal guns, PAGs
I’M talking about the need for all Filipinos to fully support the crackdown on loose firearms and partisan armed groups by the Philippine National Police ahead of the May 12, 2025 national and local elections.
By serving as the ‘eyes and ears’ of authorities, even ordinary Pinoys can help the police catch the ‘bad guys’ in their neighborhood, the toughies or the braggarts who always show off with their guns and fire at the slightest instance and most importantly, identify armed groups in their areas. A simple text or call on the police hotline will do.
The citizenry’s help will be vital in the national police force’s campaign versus illegal guns and PAGs to ensure peace and order in the forthcoming mid-term polls as President Bongbong Marcos has ordered the PNP to continue their huge efforts on the same.
In particular, police will need the support of residents of areas in the country which are known for their history of politically-related violent incidents specifically areas with intense rivalry among their political clans and where there is a considerable proliferation of firearms and private armed group.
During his most recent visit to Camp Crame, President Marcos Jr. instructed the police force particularly the Bangsamoro Administrative Region Police Regional Office headed by Brig. Gen. Romy Macapaz to continue their crackdown on loose firearms and PAGs. At the same time, PBBM mentioned that a successful BARMM elections will also somehow normalize the situation in the region.
Although potential election areas of concern in BARMM are still being subjected to validation by the Commission on Elections, the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, PBBM is right when he called for a much tighter security in the region specifically in areas where presence of intense political rivalries have been monitored.
Although some pre-election incidents involving government officials have been recorded by the force, Gen. Marbil has assured PBBM and DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla that the PNP and the AFP are on top of the situation to make sure that all plots to create violence during the May 12 polls will be thwarted.
Gen. Marbil said the directive is aimed at reducing the proliferation of illegal guns and PAGs that could be used to create violence as the election season heats up around the country.
“This directive is designed to bolster public safety and mitigate potential violence, thereby promoting a peaceful democratic process,” he said.
He also mentioned that the “PNP’s intensified campaign against private armed groups and loose firearms underscores our commitment to providing a safe environment for every Filipino, especially as we approach the election period. The PNP is resolute in its mission to dismantle these groups and eliminate threats to peace.”
Citing official statistics, the PNP said that from January 1 to November 30, 2024, there have been significant police achievements in this initiative following the arrest of 8,628 individuals for violations of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulations Act of 2013. During the period, a total of 25,240 firearms were either confiscated, recovered, or surrendered, with an additional 9,932 firearms turned over for safekeeping.
The highest number of arrests for firearms law violations were recorded by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) headed by Brigadier Gen. Anthony Aberin with 2,033 arrests, followed by the Police Regional Office 3 in Central Luzon under Brig. Gen. Red Maranan with 979 and the Police Regional Office 7 in Central Visayas formerly under Aberin with 906.
In terms of confiscated or surrendered firearms, the PRO 7 led with 3,951 cases, followed by PRO 6 in Western Visayas headed by Brig. Gen. Jack Wanky with 3,023 and the NCRPO with 2,175. Meanwhile, the PRO 4-A in Calabarzon region headed by Brig. Gen. Kenneth Lucas recorded the highest number of firearms turned over for safekeeping at 2,797.
The campaign against PAGs has also seen notable progress, said Gen. Marbil with the number of active PAGs found to have decreased from six in 2023 to three this year following the disbandment of the Kunti Melo Group in Bukidnon and the Bal and Mayo Groups in Nueva Ecija.
Furthermore, potential PAGs have dropped from 28 to just five due to ongoing operations that have led to the delisting of 33 groups following arrests and surrenders. “By aggressively targeting private armed groups and the illegal firearms they use, we are dismantling their capacity for violence and intimidation. The PNP remains committed to safeguarding the democratic process and ensuring a secure Philippines for all,” Gen. Marbil said.
The top cop urged the public to support the PNP’s initiatives and maintain vigilance during this crucial period as he reaffirmed the organization’s dedication to strategic actions that uphold peace and order leading up to the elections.
