Abrenians voluntarily surrender guns, grenade to PNP

Seal of the Province of Abra (Photo by Provincial Government of Abra – Provincial Government of Abra, Public Domain)

BAGUIO CITY — A rifle grenade, hand grenade and a gauge-12 pistol were turned over by three barangay officials in the towns of Bucay, Dolores and Bangued to the police on separate occasions, the Police Regional Office Cordillera (PROCOR) revealed in a report received Saturday.

Chief Superintendent Elmo Francis Sarona, PROCOR regional director, said the Abra Provincial Police reported that personnel of Bucay police station conducted barangay visitation at Barangay (village) Siblong (Friday) September 22 for a dialogue and at the same time inform residents of the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) intensified campaign against loose firearms.

During the dialogue, Barangay Chairman Loriel Ponce informed the police that one of his constituents surrendered a rifle grenade firearm which he turned over to authorities.

A hand grenade was also turned over by Agtangao, Bangued Barangay Captain Mario Ballo in support to the PNP’s drive against criminality also during a barangay visitation activity Friday (September 22). It is now under the custody of Bangued MPS for documentation.

Also on the same day, Sarona reported that Padac Barangay Chairman Artemio Guzman informed the Dolores town police of the receipt of an unregistered gauge-12 pistol without live ammunition from a resident.

The voluntary surrender of the firearm was a result of the previous dialogue with members of the community.

The local police, Sarona said visits barangays as part of the Police Community Relations (PCR) activities of the PNP.

The voluntary turnover of the items, according to Sarona, is a clear indication of the desire of residents to help the government in its campaign towards the attainment of peace and order.

Sarona is hopeful that the cooperation shown by Abrenians will eventually help end the many years of hostilities and political killings in the province. (PNA)