By Michelle Ducut
The Police Regional Office 5 (PRO-5) in Bicol has confiscated, seized, and recovered 965 assorted loose firearms as part of its ongoing campaign to ensure peaceful and orderly national and local elections in May 2025. The firearms were collected during operations conducted across the region’s six provinces from December 11, 2023, to November 24, 2024.
PRO-5 Regional Director Brig. Gen. Andre Dizon highlighted the importance of the campaign during a preparation briefing at Camp Simeon Ola in Legazpi City on Monday. “This initiative shows that our police are working to remove unauthorized weapons from circulation, reducing the potential for violence during the election period,” Dizon said. He added that efforts such as checkpoints and Oplan Katok (Oplan Knock) will continue until the elections to prevent violence and illegal weapons use.
Of the firearms recovered, 482 were voluntarily turned in for safekeeping at police stations. The effort is a collaboration between the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to mitigate threats posed by loose firearms and ensure a peaceful electoral process.
PRO-5 has prepared 7,353 police personnel for deployment during the elections, with roles including convoy escorts, quick response teams, precinct security, and members of Reactionary Standby Support Forces (RSSF). Additionally, 346 personnel have been trained as Board of Electoral Inspectors (BEIs), while 126 others attended seminars on managing election-related incidents.
The region’s police will also utilize 877 mobility assets, 2,777 communication devices, and 1,005 investigation tools to enhance operational readiness and ensure swift responses to incidents. These resources will facilitate personnel and equipment transport, secure routes, and coordinate responses to election-related incidents.
In preparation for election security, PRO-5 has reassigned 141 officers with relatives running for public office in the 2025 elections to maintain neutrality and avoid perceptions of undue influence. The unit has also designated 1,367 personnel for Civil Disturbance Management (CDM) operations to manage protests, maintain public order, and address potential disturbances.
Comelec-5 Regional Director Maria Juana Valeza commended the PNP for its proactive measures to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process. “Removing loose firearms from communities ensures that elections are peaceful and reflective of the people’s will,” she said. Valeza also called for continued collaboration among stakeholders to promote responsible citizenship, transparency, and peaceful dialogue leading up to the elections.
The ongoing campaign underscores the commitment of law enforcement and election officials to uphold public safety and democratic principles during the 2025 polls.