SEVERAL individuals in Cagayan de Oro City who have unlicensed guns surrendered their weapons and got half a sack of rice in exchange.
This was according to Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo) Director Aaron Mandia.
Mandia said about 18 loosed firearms were voluntarily brought by their owners to the different police stations in the city where they belong to be accounted for.
Mandia said the activity was in line with Cocpo’s ‘Armas Baylo Bugas’ program launched earlier this month.
Yesterday, during the “Kapihan sa Cocpo, Hisgot-Hisgot Ta Higala,” Police Lt. Col. Harvey Abellanosa, chief of the City Intelligence Unit, presented to the attending members of the media their accomplishment reports covering the period from May 22-29, this year.
Abellanosa showed reporters present a total of 18 undocumented serviceable firearms of different types which were also turned over to his office by personnel assigned at police stations 1 to 10 and City Mobile Force Company.
Mandia said the program, which was conceptualized by their office, was created to raise awareness to the public and to encourage them to voluntarily yield their unlicensed guns to the Philippine National Police.
Abellanosa has assured the public that the program, under Republic Act No. 10591 known as the “Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition,” will only be sustained with the help of their counterparts from the lower police units.
He is hoping that through the said program more civilians who are firearm owners will be encouraged to follow the law.
Mandia said he is optimistic that the said initiative will further open the doors to all individuals who are still maintaining undocumented firearms to coordinate personally with the authorities so they could avail help in the process.
“Do not be afraid, ask assistance from your nearest police station to facilitate your concern. Your higalang pulis are always at your service and willing to extend a helping hand for your needs,” Mandia said.
