CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga — Police authorities across Central Luzon recovered a total of 187 unregistered firearms within a single 24-hour period through the heightened execution of the Accounting and Disposition of Firearms with Expired Registration (ADFER) program.
Police Regional Office 3 (PRO-3) director Police Brig. Gen. Jess Mendez reported that 182 of the recovered firearms were deposited for custody, while five were voluntarily turned over by their owners.
Mendez noted that the campaign urges gun holders to adhere to existing laws, ensuring that firearms carrying expired permits are systematically accounted for and handled through proper legal channels.
Regional police credited the high yield to aggressive public information drives, enhanced stakeholder coordination, and proactive efforts by field officers to connect with firearm owners across the province.
Law enforcement officials highlighted that systematically monitoring firearms helps lower the likelihood of weapons being stolen, misplaced, unlawfully traded, or involved in violent crimes.
The operation aligns with the broader priorities of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief PGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.
Mendez further pointed out that the effort supports the Unified 911 emergency network by pairing proactive law enforcement strategies with quicker, better-coordinated emergency services.
The regional chief commended the officers spearheading the operation and expressed appreciation to compliant gun owners for assisting police efforts.
PRO-3 affirmed that it will maintain its regional compliance push and urged individuals holding expired licenses to visit their local police units to regularize their status.