Negros Oriental: The Philippine National Police (PNP) in Negros Oriental has intensified its efforts to crack down on loose firearms in the province following a series of shooting incidents involving undocumented guns.

According to Philippines News Agency, Lt. Stephen Polinar, spokesperson of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO), reported that since January this year, there have been 10 shooting incidents, as of April 22. Out of these incidents, eight cases have been filed against the suspects, while two remain under investigation.

Lt. Polinar urged the community to assist authorities by reporting individuals who may possess unregistered firearms. He emphasized the ongoing efforts to monitor loose firearms and the reinforcement of checkpoints to curb the issue. NOPPO's records indicate that from January 1 to April 20, a total of 341 operations targeted loose firearms, resulting in the confiscation of 355 units. Additionally, 52 Oplan Katok operations led to 64 firearms being deposited with the police for safekeeping.

Loose firearms, as explained by Polinar, are those that are unregistered and undocumented. Those recovered during Oplan Katok operations are firearms with expired licenses pending renewal. He noted that such firearms often come from various places, including Cebu, Mindanao, and Manila, but pinpointing their exact sources remains challenging.

In the midst of these efforts, Polinar clarified that none of the 10 reported shooting incidents are linked to the upcoming May 12 elections. However, an investigation is ongoing regarding a recent strafing incident at a city councilor's house to determine the motive. While the PNP's parameters suggest that the Tanjay strafing may not be election-related, the final determination rests with the Commission on Elections.

During election periods, the PNP, along with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other uniformed services, operates under the control of the Comelec to ensure safety and security.