Quezon cops heighten drive vs loose firearms

Quezon police officials present to reporters the cache of seized and surrendered illegal firearms at Camp Nakar in Lucena City on Tuesday. DELFIN T. MALLARI JR./INQUIRER SOUTHERN LUZON

LUCENA CITY –– At least 44 suspected owners of illegal firearms were arrested and more than 800 guns of different calibers were seized and taken into custody by the police in its intensified campaign against loose firearms in Quezon province since March.

Colonel Ramil Montilla, Quezon police director, presented the firearms to reporters during the press briefing at Camp Nakar here on Tuesday morning.

Montilla reported that 64 firearms were confiscated in police operations and 797 guns were voluntarily surrendered by gun owners due to expired license and License to Own and Possess Firearms.

“We will intensify our Oplan Katok operation in the coming days. May this serve as a warning to irresponsible gun owners,” Montilla said.

Under “Oplan Katok,” police officers visit the homes of gun owners whose licenses have expired. Police will ask the gun holders to surrender their unregistered firearms and start the license application or renewal process.

Failure to do so, the gun owners would be subjected to search and warrant, and would be charged for violation of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulations Act and Illegal Possession of Explosives Act.