Intensified campaign vs. loose firearms nets 15K guns, 5.5K persons

By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan, Philippine News Agency

OFF THE STREETS. Loose firearms and ammunition seized by the police during an operation in Occidental Mindoro in this undated photo. The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday (Feb. 25, 2026) said 5,547 individuals were arrested and 15,428 firearms were seized or surrendered during an intensified crackdown against illegal guns from August 2025 to Feb. 19 this year. (Photo: PNA)

MANILA – More than 15,000 firearms were seized and about 5,500 individuals were arrested during a seven-month campaign against loose firearms and gunrunners, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

From August 2025 to Feb. 19, 2026, authorities arrested 5,547 individuals and seized or received 15,428 firearms. This excludes 1,474 firearms voluntarily turned over for safekeeping, “demonstrating public willingness to support preventive measures,” the PNP said in a statement Wednesday.

In 2026 alone, 1,474 individuals were arrested for illegal possession of firearms. Police also confiscated, seized, or received 4,684 firearms for violations of Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act) while 479 were surrendered for safekeeping.

From Feb. 13 to 19, operations led to 250 arrests, 718 firearms confiscated or surrendered, and 85 turned over for safekeeping.

The PNP said the campaign supports its Focused Agenda through Enhanced Managing Police Operations (EMPO), combining intelligence-led enforcement, checkpoints, and community engagement.

“Hindi lang ito tungkol sa pagpapatupad ng batas. Ang layunin natin ay pigilan ang mga posibleng krimen at protektahan ang buhay. Bawat baril na wala sa ilegal na sirkulasyon ay isang panganib na naiiwasan (This is not just about law enforcement. Our goal is to prevent potential crimes and protect lives. Every gun that is not in illegal circulation is danger avoided),” PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said.

Nartatez urged the public to surrender unlicensed or unused firearms, report suspicious activities, secure guns at home, and join voluntary surrender programs.

He also directed the Civil Security Group to require delinquent gun owners to renew their licenses.

“Gun ownership comes with an obligation that includes renewing their licenses on time,” Nartatez said.