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Camp Vicente Lim, Calamba City — The Police Regional Office – Region 4A (PRO-4A) continues to make significant strides toward ensuring a safe and secure environment as the 2025 elections approach.
Following the awarding of personnel with significant accomplishments on Monday, PRO-4A presented 3,138 firearms that were voluntarily surrendered from Sept. 25, 2024 to Jan. 31, 2025.
Of these, 3,012 are small firearms and 126 are light weapons.
SURRENDERED GUNS LtGen. Robert Rodriguez (2nd from left), Deputy Chief for Operations of the Philippine National Police, inspects the firearms that were voluntarily surrendered to the police from Sept. 25, 2024 to Jan. 31, 2025 in Calabarzon. The weapons were presented to the media on Feb. 3, 2025, at Camp Vicente Lim in Calamba City, Laguna. PHOTO BY DENNIS ABRINA
Most of the guns were surrendered by politicians and candidates running for office in the Calabarzon region, police regional director BGen. Paul Kenneth Lucas said.
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This significant accomplishment is part of PRO-4A's F.E.E.L S.A.F.E.R initiative, which stands for Firearms and Explosives from Candidates/Supporters/Kins/Juridical for Safekeeping and Disposal: An Effort Leading to Secure, Accurate, and Fair Elections in the Calabarzon Region, in line with the strict enforcement of the gun ban under Comelec Resolution 11067.
In addition to this accomplishments on voluntary firearm surrenders, other law enforcement operations have been conducted, including the implementation of search warrants, checkpoint operations, and the Oplan Bakal.
These operations resulted in the confiscation of 414 firearms and the arrest of 313 individuals involved in illegal firearms activities. Additionally, the Oplan Katok campaign led to 10,074 operations, resulting in the voluntary turn-in of 1,187 firearms for safekeeping.
Also from Jan. 12 to Feb. 2, 2025, during the first phase of the election gun ban, PRO-4A reported the confiscation of 60 assorted firearms and the arrest of 61 individuals.
Deputy Regional Director for Administration Col. Melvin Napiloy, meanwhile, emphasized the importance of these initiatives in ensuring a peaceful and orderly electoral process.
"These efforts reflect PRO-4A's firm commitment to preventing any form of election-related violence and we will continue to enforce the gun ban in close coordination with the Commission on Elections and other frontline government agencies to safeguard the integrity of the upcoming 2025 electoral process," he said.
Region 4A covers the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon.
During the awarding ceremony, the Medalya ng Kagalingan was given to Col. Dwight Alegre, provincial director of Cavite Police Provincial Office; Lt. Col. Chester Noel Borlongan; Lt. Col. Al-Rieza Kinang; Maj. Fernando Punzalan Jr.; PEMS Joselito Palattao Lanot Jr.; and MSgt. Manny Padilla Bucal.
These officers were honored for their critical role in the successful discovery of a clandestine laboratory on Jan. 28, 2025, in Barangay Sahud Ulan, Tanza, Cavite.
Their quick response and coordinated efforts played a vital role in uncovering the illegal operation, which is expected to have a significant impact on the region's ongoing battle against illegal drugs.
LtGen. Robert Rodriguez, Deputy Chief for Operations of the Philippine National Police (PNP), commended the recipients for their courage, dedication, and professionalism.
He said that these officers exemplify the core values of the PNP — service, honor, and justice — and set an exemplary standard for others to follow in their pursuit of excellence.
"To the awardees, I would like to express my deepest gratitude. Your actions truly exemplify the meaning of service and professionalism. Thank you for your unwavering dedication and commitment to upholding the values that make our organization strong," Rodriguez said.
