BATANGAS CITY — Hundreds of unlicensed firearms have been seized by authorities or surrendered by their owners during a series of intensified operations against loose firearms in Batangas.
PBGen. Dominic Baccay, Acting Regional Director of the Calabarzon police, presented to the media 193 of these long and short firearms recovered between May and July 2026. All of the firearms lacked the required legal documentation.
The recoveries are part of the intensified campaign of the Calabarzon and Batangas police against loose firearms, which are frequently used in the commission of crimes.
Despite the successful operations, Baccay admitted that a significant number of illegal firearms remained in circulation.
“Straight talk, real talk, marami pa, marami pa rin mga firearms o mga baril na kailangan natin kumpiskahin kaya tayo ay nagdodoble ang ating effort kasi nakita nyo naman, again real talk, mayroon pa rin mga pangyayari tungkol sa mga shooting incidents,” Baccay said.
The Calabarzon police chief also said there were no more organized criminal groups monitored in the region, but he acknowledged that some of their remaining members and associates were still at large and being actively pursued.
“We are going after them, and the long arm of the law will eventually catch these lawless elements. These lawless elements have no place here in Batangas and in the whole Calabarzon,” Baccay added.
Baccay urged owners of unlicensed firearms to voluntarily surrender their weapons before they are arrested.
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