By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Around 205 firearms, including those seized for expired licenses and guns turned over by surrendered New People’s Army (NPA) members, were presented to Police Regional Office-6 (PRO-6) director, Police Brigadier General John Bulalacao, yesterday morning during the flag ceremony at Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) headquarters in Barangay Estefania, Bacolod City.

The said firearms are owned by various Negros Occidental local government units, with 25 being weapons surrendered by former rebels.

The event was attended by Commission on Elections-Negros Occidental supervisor, Atty. Salud Milagros Villanueva; Negros Occidental Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson; and Philippine Army 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, Colonel Benedict Arevalo.

According to Bulalacao, the surrendered firearms are an outstanding achievement by Arevalo and NOPPO director, Police Colonel Romeo Baleros.

He added, amid the ongoing campaign season, they have not recorded any violent incidents involving private armed groups in Negros Occidental.

The PRO-6 director also lauded the efforts of various law enforcement agencies in Negros Occidental regarding the recent surrender of 25 NPA rebels in Sagay City./DGB, WDJ