PRO3 COMPLETES ACCOUNTING OF GUNS WITH EXPIRED REGISTRATION IN CENTRAL LUZON

BY KEVIN GALANG

CAMP OLIVAS, City of San Fernando, Pampanga  —  The Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) has accounted for a total of 90,235 firearms across Central Luzon as of November 5, achieving a 100-percent accomplishment rate in its Accounting and Disposition of Firearms with Expired Registration (ADFER).

According to the PRO3, all nine police provincial and city offices in the region have cleared their remaining balances under the campaign, covering 84,630 individually registered firearms and 5,605 firearms registered under juridical entities.

The accomplishment was recorded in Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales, Angeles City and Olongapo City following sustained accounting, verification and monitoring efforts by local police units.

PRO3 director Gen. Jess Mendez credited the achievement to the coordinated efforts of police commanders and personnel who traced firearm owners, verified registration records and addressed pending accounting requirements.

“Reaching 100 percent means we have accounted for all firearms covered by our regional monitoring list. I commend our personnel for completing this task,” Mendez said.

The official reiterated the need to maintain accurate records and closely monitor firearms with expired registrations to ensure compliance with existing regulations.

The ADFER campaign is part of the Philippine National Police’s continuing efforts under PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. to account for firearms with expired registrations and prevent unaccounted weapons from being diverted to criminal activities.

With the regionwide accounting completed, Mendez directed all police units to sustain records verification and monitoring, particularly firearms requiring registration renewal or proper disposition.

He said the initiative aims to strengthen firearms regulation and help prevent illegally possessed or unaccounted weapons from falling into the hands of criminal groups.