Guimaras police account for all 172 firearms with expired licenses

Floyd Brenz., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
October 31, 2026

Photo Courtesy: PRO-6

Guimaras has become the first province in Western Visayas to achieve full compliance with Project TALA, a police initiative aimed at tracking and accounting for firearms with expired registrations.

The Guimaras Police Provincial Office accounted for a total of 172 firearms under the program. Of these, seven were voluntarily surrendered, while 165 were deposited at various police units across the province.

The accomplishment was presented during a ceremony at the provincial police headquarters in Jordan, Guimaras, on Friday, October 30.

Project TALA, which stands for Tracking, Accounting and Lawful Disposition of Firearms with Expired Registration, is the regional implementation of the Philippine National Police’s nationwide campaign to locate firearm owners, verify the status of their weapons and ensure appropriate legal action.

Police Regional Office 6 Director Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño said Guimaras had also previously led the region in complying with Project RTT 3389, which focuses on unregistered and undocumented firearms.

He explained that while the earlier campaign targets firearms that were never properly licensed, Project TALA deals with weapons whose registrations have not been renewed.

Across Western Visayas, authorities have identified 741 firearms covered by Project TALA.

Tuaño credited the cooperation of local government officials, police personnel and communities for Guimaras’ accomplishment, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that every firearm is properly accounted for.

The initiative forms part of the PNP’s broader efforts to address loose firearms and strengthen public safety by ensuring that weapons remain under lawful possession and proper monitoring.