Caraga: Police Regional Office (PRO) 13 (Caraga) recovered 212 loose firearms and nine explosives during operations conducted from Oct. 24 to Nov. 20, data from the Philippine National Police revealed Thursday.
According to Philippines News Agency, 66 firearms were seized through search warrants and response operations, while 144 firearms were surrendered voluntarily during Oplan Bakal and Oplan Katok initiatives. Among the provinces, Agusan del Sur recorded the highest recovery with 81 firearms, followed by Agusan del Norte with 43. Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur each accounted for 35, Dinagat Islands for five, Butuan City for four, and other PRO-13 units for nine.
The nine explosives were seized in separate operations: four by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-13, two by the Dinagat Islands Police Provincial Office (PPO), two by the Surigao del Sur PPO, and one by the Agusan del Norte PPO. During the same period, 12 suspects were arrested through search warrants and response ope
rations.
The most recent operation occurred in Barobo, Surigao del Sur, on Nov. 14, leading to the arrest of five suspects. Confiscated during the operation were two hand grenades, two .45-caliber pistols, and a .30-caliber rifle. PRO-13 director Brig. Gen. Alan Nazarro credited the successful recoveries and arrests to community support and encouraged residents to remain vigilant.
‘I encourage every peace-loving member of our community to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity or individuals to the nearest police station,’ Nazarro said.
