DAGUPAN CITY (PIA) – The Pangasinan Police Provincial Office (PPO) reported a turnover of 3,923 firearms categorized as confiscated, captured, surrendered, deposited, abandoned, forfeited (CCSDAF) and expired licenses to help ensure a peaceful community and an orderly electoral process for the upcoming 2025 midterm elections in the province.
The presented firearms are related to the Philippine National Police’s “Oplan Katok” program, which involves police visiting firearm holders at their homes to encourage them to renew their gun licenses and store their firearms in police offices.
“Oplan Katok,” also known as Revitalize ‘Katok,’ is a national initiative aimed at reducing the number of loose firearms and ensuring the safety of citizens.
According to PCOL Rollyfer Capoquian, Pangasinan police provincial director, the collection included 2,910 firearms with expired licenses and 1,019 firearms that were confiscated, captured, surrendered, abandoned, or forfeited.
These firearms were officially turned over to the Regional Civil Security Unit 1 (RCSU 1) recently for safekeeping.
“The operation of Revitalize Katok continues, in partnership with RCSU 1, which results in our extensive campaign to contain the proliferation of loose firearms, including those that are unlicensed, in order to maintain a peaceful atmosphere prior, during, and after elections this coming 2025,” Capoquian added.
The Pangasinan PPO reported that San Carlos City, Urdaneta City, and Malasiqui are leading efforts in the surrender and confiscation of loose firearms in the province to enhance community security.
PBGEN Lou Evangelista, regional director of Police Regional Office 1, emphasized that the ceremonial turnover of surrendered and confiscated firearms, along with the showcase of deposited firearms, symbolizes a collective commitment to maintaining a safe environment for every Filipino, particularly during the upcoming electoral period.
“Our goal for the upcoming elections is simple but vital: to create an atmosphere where every citizen can exercise their right to vote without fear,” Evangelista said.
As of August 2024, there are 39,126 expired firearm registrations in the entire Region 1, with 22,268 recorded in the province of Pangasinan.
As a result, the province continues to conduct the License to Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPF) and Firearms Registration Modified One-Stop Shop in various cities and towns across the province.
RCSU 1 Officer-in-Charge, PLTCOL Regina Abanales, advised individuals to avail of the LTOPF and Firearms Registration Caravan.
“We are reaching out to firearm owners to renew their expired firearms so that they can continue to use them. Our effort is to conduct a one-stop shop to assist firearm holders in renewing their firearm registrations,” Abanales said.
A two-day LTOPF caravan and Firearms Registration Modified One-Stop Shop are set to be conducted in the municipality of San Quintin on November 21-22, 2024, at the Municipal Event Center, starting from 8:00 a.m. (AMB/RPM/PIA Pangasinan)
