CATBALOGAN CITY (PIA) — The Samar Police Provincial Office (SPPO) has strengthened its peace and order campaign with the Balik-Armas Program, which improves security and public safety while minimizing firearm usage in communities.
Ang aim po kasi nitong Balik-Armas Program is to lessen the loose firearms na nagiging instrumentality sa mga shooting incidents. For the past years, bumaba po yung shooting incident in the province of Samar, at the same time, tumaas yung crime clearance and crime solution efficiency natin,” said PCol. Antonietto Eric A. Mendoza, SPPO provincial director.
(The Balik Armas Program aims to reduce loose firearms that are being used as instruments in shooting incidents. Over the past years, shooting incidents in the province of Samar have decreased, and at the same time, our crime clearance and crime solution efficiency have improved.)
During the event, 43 firearms were surrendered, 30 were placed in safekeeping, and 393 improvised firearms were accounted for. The provincial government of Samar provided cash assistance totaling P10,000 for each voluntary firearm surrendered.
According to Mendoza, this initiative is supported by a collective effort from the provincial government to reduce crime, promote peace in Samar, and foster further economic development.
Gov. Sharee Ann T. Tan commends the Samar Police Provincial Office for its achievements and appreciates the chiefs of police and officers for their vital contributions and collaboration in implementing the program.
Tan stated that the program will continue this year, and its implementation will be sustained. She and Mendoza urged civilians in possession of unlicensed firearms to surrender them.
As per Section 261 (q) of the Omnibus Election Code, individuals are prohibited from carrying firearms outside their residence or place of business during the election period unless they have received authorization from the Commission.
The recent initiative aims to bolster security for the national and local elections scheduled for May 12. On Saturday, January 12, the SPPO conducted simultaneous checkpoints at various locations throughout Catbalogan City, focusing on reducing gun-related incidents in the Samar province. (AAC, PIA Samar)
