PRO 4A’s F.E.E.L S.A.F.E.R. initiative seizes over 3,000 firearms ahead 2025 Elections

 PRO 4A’s F.E.E.L S.A.F.E.R. initiative seizes over 3,000 firearms ahead 2025 Elections

Camp BGen Vicente P Lim-The Police Regional Office CALABARZON under the leadership of Regional Director PBGEN Paul Kenneth T Lucas continues to make significant strides toward ensuring a safe and secure environment as the 2025 National and Local Elections approach.

In today’s Press Briefing, following the Awarding of Personnel with Significant Accomplishments, which was graced by Deputy Chief PNP for Operations, Police Lieutenant General Robert T Rodriguez, PNP 4A presented a total of 3,138 voluntarily surrendered firearms from September 25, 2024, to January 31, 2025. Of these, 3,012 were small firearms, and 126 were light weapons. The briefing took place at the PRO 4A Covered Court, Camp BGen Vicente P Lim, Calamba City.

This significant accomplishment is part of PRO 4A’s F.E.E.L S.A.F.E.R initiative, which stands for Firearms and Explosives from Candidates/Supporters/Kins/Juridical for Safekeeping and Disposal: An Effort Leading to Secure, Accurate, and Fair Elections in the CALABARZON Region complimenting with the strict enforcement of the gun ban under COMELEC Resolution No. 11067.

In addition to this accomplishments on voluntary firearm surrenders, other law enforcement operations have been conducted, including the implementation of search warrants, checkpoint operations, and the Oplan Bakal. These operations resulted in the confiscation of 414 firearms and the arrest of 313 individuals involved in illegal firearms activities. Additionally, the Oplan Katok campaign led to 10,074 operations, resulting in the voluntary turn-in of 1,187 firearms for safekeeping.

Further, from January 12 to February 2, 2025, during the first phase of the gun ban, this regional office reported the confiscation of 60 assorted firearms and the arrest of 61 individuals.

Deputy Regional Director for Administration, PCOL Melvin G Napiloy, during his message emphasized the importance of these initiatives in ensuring a peaceful and orderly electoral process. “These efforts reflect PRO 4A’s firm commitment to preventing any form of election-related violence and we will continue to enforce the gun ban in close coordination with the Commission on Elections and other frontline government agencies to safeguard the integrity of the upcoming 2025 electoral process,” he said.

PCOL Napiloy also reminds the public that carrying, possessing, or transporting firearms and deadly weapons during the election period without the necessary permits is strictly prohibited. Violators will face legal consequences under the Omnibus Election Code and other relevant laws.( RPIO4A)