The Negros Oriental Police has recorded 31 shooting incidents in the province since January, prompting intensified operations against loose firearms, an official said yesterday.

Lt. Stephen Polinar, provincial police spokesperson, said that to prevent crimes involving firearms, police stations have been reminded of a standing order that for every shooting incident in their area, they must apply for and serve five search warrants against suspected illegal gun owners.

“If there are two or more shooting incidents in a town or city, the police chief stands to be relieved from his position if the crimes are not solved,” Polinar said.

Barangay officials and the community have been urged to help identify potential gun owners, as it is difficult to trace those with undocumented firearms.

Polinar said the latest shooting incidents were reported in Sibulan and Pamplona towns on Tuesday, August 12, but they were not related. Police arrested the suspect in the Sibulan shooting, while the perpetrator in the Pamplona case remains at large.

Provincial police records showed that of the 31 shooting incidents, 16 have been cleared, nine have been solved, and six are under investigation.

The shooting incidents were perpetrated in Bais City, Basay, Bayawan City, Canlaon City, Dauin, Guihulngan, La Libertad, San Jose, Sta. Catalina, Siaton, Sibulan, Tayasan, Valencia, Vallehermoso, and Zamboanguita.

Sibulan had the highest number of cases, with four, and the suspect in one case has been arrested. (PNA)