Police chiefs in Negros Oriental have been directed to clamp down on illegal gun ownership following recent shooting incidents in the province.

Lt. Stephen Polinar, spokesperson of the Negros Oriental Police, told the Philippine News Agency in an interview yesterday that police stations are to intensify their campaigns against loose firearms through the use of search warrants.

“That is the standing order of Lt. Colonel Criscente Tiguelo, the OIC provincial police director, with the police chiefs now securing search warrants from the court,” Polinar said.

Just last week, three shooting incidents happened in Sta. Catalina, Bais City, and Bacong town.

A pursuit operation linked to the Sta. Catalina shooting led to the arrest of four individuals in Bacong, who yielded firearms and ammunition.

Polinar said 44 shooting incidents have been reported in the province since January.

Only seven of these shooting incidents are still under investigation, while the rest are considered solved, with cases already filed in court against the suspects.

Meanwhile, police arrested an alleged former member of a “vigilante group” yesterday morning following a search at his residence in Barangay San Isidro, Pamplona town, which resulted in the confiscation of several firearms and ammunition.

Seized during the court-authorized search were a caliber .45 pistol, two improvised shotguns, a Caliber .38 revolver, several rounds of live ammunition, an ammunition box, and a caliber .45 magazine.

Polinar said the suspect allegedly belonged to the “Greenan,” a group of vigilantes acting as force multipliers, but was expelled due to his poor conduct and demeanor.

The suspect claimed the firearms and ammunition were left in his possession while still active with the group.

Polinar urged firearm holders with lapsed licenses to voluntarily surrender them to authorities for safekeeping to avoid facing criminal charges. (PNA)