By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) director, Police Senior Superintendent Rodolfo Castil, said several firearms and explosives were surrendered to Calatrava municipal police last Friday morning.

Castil said municipal police chief, Police Chief Inspector John Batusbatusan, along with several barangay captains, held an information campaign, last November 7, urging the town’s residents to surrender loose firearms and ammunition.

Later, residents of town barangays Cambayobo, Marcelo, and Minapasok turned over their firearms and explosives, which comprised of an improvised shotgun, a rifle grenade, and a fragmentation grenade.

Castil added, the campaign is part of the Philippine National Police (PNP) “Oplan: Katok” and “Oplan: Sita,” which aims to convince the public to surrender loose firearms.

The campaign also seeks to reduce gun-related violence.

As part of the operation, Castil directed the chiefs of police throughout the province to help and facilitate gun owners who voluntarily surrender, deposit, or turnover firearms while their licenses are still in process./DGB, WDJ