Iloilo city: A community-based campaign against loose firearms has led to the surrender of 47 firearms and a rifle grenade in three areas of Iloilo, the Police Regional Office in Western Visayas (PRO-6) said on Friday. The initiative, dubbed 'RTT 3389' for Restrict, Track and Turn-in, aims to bring the campaign to all 3,389 barangays in Western Visayas by encouraging communities to facilitate the voluntary surrender or proper turnover of at least one loose firearm, where such firearms are present.

According to Philippines News Agency, the initiative supports the continuing directive of Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. to strengthen the campaign against loose firearms. The initial recoveries were recorded in the municipalities of Batad and San Rafael in Iloilo province and the Arevalo district in Iloilo City.

Batad accounted for 24 firearms-18 short firearms and six long-barrel homemade 12-gauge shotguns-surrendered as of Sept. 8. The municipality has 24 barangays. San Rafael, which has nine barangays, yielded 10 firearms as of Sept. 7, including six short firearms and four long-barrel homemade 12-gauge shotguns.

In Arevalo, 13 firearms and a rifle grenade were surrendered from nine of the district's 13 barangays. The areas involved were Quezon, Bonifacio, Dulonan, San Jose, Yulo-Drive, Sto. Ni±o Norte, Sta. Felomina, Sto. Domingo, and Sta. Cruz.

'Through RTT 3389, we are bringing the direction of our Chief PNP down to the barangay level. We will work closely with our local officials and communities to encourage firearm holders to voluntarily turn over undocumented firearms. Every firearm responsibly taken out of illegal circulation is a concrete contribution to a safer community,' PRO-6 Director Brig. Gen. Randulf Tua±o said.

Firearm holders are encouraged to coordinate with their local police units for guidance on the lawful surrender, turnover, or proper disposition of undocumented firearms in accordance with existing laws, rules, and regulations.