Massive drive vs. loose guns ordered in BARMM, Caraga

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 15, 2021): Massive drive vs. loose guns ordered in BARMM, Caraga (By Edwin Fernandez and Alexander Lopez)

DETAINED. Photo shows the mug shots of three suspects caught carrying loose firearms in South Upi, Maguindanao on Sunday (Nov. 14, 2021). Seized from them were five firearms and various ammunition. (Photo courtesy of PRO-BARMM)

CAMP S.K. PENDATUN, Maguindanao/BUTUAN CITY – All police offices in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have been directed to intensify their campaign against loose firearms and prevent its proliferation in connection with next years’ national and local polls.

Brig. Gen. Eden T. Ugale, BARMM police director, issued the directive Monday after police authorities in South Upi, Maguindanao arrested three individuals and seized five loose firearms during a joint law enforcement operation with military troopers over the weekend.

“As early as this time, we are intensifying operations against loose firearms in preparation for the 2022 polls,” Ugale said.

Ugale said the police were to serve warrants of arrest against Nashor Wahab Omar for frustrated murder charges in his rented house in Barangay Biarong around 5 a.m. Sunday but managed to escape, leaving behind his three cohorts.

“The three suspects were seen carrying firearms without licenses and are considered loose guns,” the police official said.

Those arrested were identified as Basit U. Kamid, Asrad O. Sultan, and Tulondatu A. Omar, who were caught with firearms consisting of a Bushmaster rifle, an M16 A1 rifle, a 9mm pistol, two .45-caliber pistols, and various ammunition.

The arrested individuals, now detained at the South Upi police detention cell, are facing charges for violation of Republic Act10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

Ugale said police forces and units are poised for tougher and more coordinated operations against wanted persons and owners of loose firearms who are potential perpetrators of election-related violence.

“The intensified campaign is to prevent armed men with loose firearms to end up as private armed groups or security escorts of political candidates,” he said.

Caraga

Authorities in the Caraga Region on Monday said they are also intensifying their drive against loose firearms ahead of the 2022 local and national elections.

PRO-13 (Caraga) Director Brig. Gen. Romeo Caramat Jr., in a statement, said the conduct of their operations against loose firearms continue in the areas of responsibility of the different police stations and units in the Caraga Region to ensure the peaceful and orderly conduct of polls next year.
“The aggressive campaigns against loose firearms aim not only to target individuals, gangs and groups with unlicensed firearms, but also to prevent goons and loose guns from being used for violence as we prepare for a safe and peaceful 2022 election,” Caramat said.

Data provided by the PRO-13 said a total of 1,525 loose firearms have already been confiscated in the region from January to November this year.

Of the total number of loose firearms seized, 830 were voluntarily surrendered to the different police stations and units in the area.

The drive against loose firearms during the period also resulted in the arrest of 374 individuals, the PRO-13 data said.

Caramat also announced on Monday the turnover of seven loose firearms from the different towns in the province of Agusan del Sur.

The PRO-13 chief identified individuals who voluntarily surrendered their loose firearms on Sunday (Nov. 14) as Joselito Beloan Lumacang, Sta. Josefa town, Ronald Duero Gentio of Trento, Edgar M. Soco of Prosperidad, Marky A. Asita of La Paz, Johnny Rosero Casal of Loreto, Carlito Labao Maasin of Rosario, and Ariel Suglano of Bayugan City.

“They separately handed over to different police stations five improvised shotguns without serial numbers and without ammunition, and two .38 caliber revolvers without serial numbers and ammunition,” Caramat said.

He added that the surrender of the firearms is the result of the continuing information drive of the Agusan del Sur Police Provincial Office that encourages residents to surrender their unlicensed firearms to avoid being arrested and prosecuted.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1159773