World · Philippines Bureau
Bicol police collect 765 unregistered firearms in safety campaign
Police in the Bicol region have secured 765 firearms with expired registrations as part of a new firearm management initiative. The weapons were either voluntarily surrendered by owners or retrieved during police operations.
LSN Philippines ·
LEGAZPI CITY — The Police Regional Office 5 announced Tuesday the successful collection of 765 firearms with lapsed registrations across the Bicol region. Of the total, 535 weapons were voluntarily deposited by their owners while 230 were recovered during law enforcement operations.
The accounting was disclosed during the official launch of Project Kasurog: Bantay Baril, a regional initiative aimed at strengthening firearm management and public safety. The project represents efforts by police authorities to trace and secure weapons that no longer meet registration requirements.
Voluntary surrender programs have become an increasingly common tool in the Philippines for addressing the proliferation of unregistered firearms. By incentivizing owners to turn in expired weapons without penalty, authorities aim to reduce the number of illegal or improperly documented guns in circulation.
The Bicol police emphasized their commitment to enforcing firearm regulations while encouraging public cooperation. The collection of these weapons is expected to contribute to improved security measures across the six provinces under PRO 5's jurisdiction.