Ilocos Norte: The Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office (INPPO) on Monday announced that 27 additional firearms have been turned over for safekeeping. This initiative aims to ensure a safe and secure election period while promoting responsible firearm ownership.

According to Philippines News Agency, the firearms were surrendered and deposited from March 17 to 23, aligning with the nationwide implementation of the election gun ban. During a briefing at Camp Capt. Valentin S. Juan, Maj. Sheryll Guzman, the information officer and chief of INPPO’s Provincial Community Affairs Development Unit, highlighted the ongoing efforts under Oplan Timpuyog. These efforts include conducting dialogues with electoral candidates across various cities and municipalities regarding the May 12 midterm elections, discussing the latest election rules and regulations.

The dialogues also encourage candidates to support police plans and programs, particularly those focused on peace and order activities. “The Oplan Timpuyog aims to promote safe and secure elections and to address political tensions ahead of the May 2025 elections,” Guzman stated.

Guzman noted that, out of the 21 towns and two cities in Ilocos Norte, only candidates from the municipalities of Carasi and Piddig have yet to participate in the dialogues. However, these dialogues are already scheduled for this week.

On March 18, INPPO reported that a total of 1,426 assorted firearms had been surrendered and deposited by local candidates and their supporters for safekeeping. In addition to these efforts, INPPO is organizing a covenant signing and unity walk across the province in anticipation of the upcoming elections.