By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

At least 68 loose firearms were surrendered to various police stations and units belonging to the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) this January.

NOCPPO spokesperson Police Lt. Abegael Donasco said 48 of the surrendered guns were improvised and another 20 belong to gun owners who have either not renewed or are still in the process of renewing their firearms’ license.

Donasco said the recent surrenders are a big help to their campaign against loose firearms, especially since it is already the election season.

Meanwhile, Donasco said following the implementation of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) gun ban on January 9, they have already nabbed 11 individuals for firearms-related violations.

Four of the arrested are from Kabankalan City, where the first gun ban violator in Western Visayas had been arrested./DGB, WDJ