By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) yesterday appealed for unregistered gun owners to surrender their firearms as part of the ongoing ‘Tokhang’ for illegal firearms program.

According to BCPO spokesperson, Police Chief Inspector Sherlock Gabana, there are currently an estimated 3,000 unlicensed firearms in the city, noting, the law enforcement unit is presently applying for search warrants against the gun owners.

Based on data gathered between July 1 to 24, the BCPO conducted a total of six operations, where they confiscated three low-powered and four improvised firearms.

They also recorded one surrendered firearm, along with six charged with illegal firearms possession.

Gabana said city police stations have been instructed to patrol their respective jurisdictions and remind gun owners to process all necessary documents.

He explained, while gun owners process their documents, they must also temporarily turnover their firearms to their nearest police station.

The spokesperson added, unlicensed guns are a concern for the BCPO as they could be used for criminal activities.

Earlier this month, Police Regional Office-6 (PRO-6) director, Police Chief Superintendent John Bulalacao, led the launch of the ‘Tokhang’ for illegal firearms program in Iloilo City.

Data gathered by PRO-6 during the first semester of 2018 showed a total of 418 cases of firearms-related violence, including murder, homicide, physical injury, and threats./DGB, WDJ