ILOILO CITY, Philippines — In just 24 hours, police across Western Visayas recovered 64 loose firearms and six explosive devices, highlighting the scale of the region’s continuing campaign to keep unregistered weapons out of communities.
The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) said the firearms were accounted for during 68 operations conducted from 6 a.m. on August 22 to 5:59 a.m. on August 23, 2026, under Project RTT — Restrict, Track and Turn-In.
Of the 64 firearms, 62 were voluntarily surrendered, while two were confiscated during police operations. Authorities also arrested two individuals, according to the PRO-6 Regional Operations Division.
A Bigger Campaign Behind the 24-Hour Haul
The latest recovery is not an isolated operation. It is part of a broader and increasingly aggressive effort by Western Visayas police to account for loose and undocumented firearms.
Earlier this month, PRO-6 reported that 858 loose firearms had been voluntarily surrendered between May 15 and July 31, demonstrating significant public participation in the region-wide campaign. Police said the initiative relies heavily on coordination with residents, barangay officials and local government units.
The campaign has also produced results in individual communities. In Valderrama, Antique, for example, residents recently turned over 20 loose firearms through local leaders following appeals from barangay officials and police.
And the numbers have been mounting throughout the year. In February alone, PRO-6 reported recovering 377 firearms and 81 explosive devices, while police operations in Iloilo City yielded 140 loose firearms over an eight-month campaign ending in May.
Police: Public Cooperation Is Key
PRO-6 Director Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño credited the public’s cooperation for the latest recovery and again urged holders of unregistered or improperly documented firearms to voluntarily surrender them to authorities.
Police say Project RTT combines voluntary surrender efforts with intelligence-led operations, firearm audits and coordination with local governments and barangays. The goal is not only to seize illegal weapons but also to identify and account for firearms before they can potentially be used in crimes.
The campaign also reflects a wider national push against loose firearms. The Philippine National Police reported that nationwide operations in July 2026 accounted for 3,724 firearms through confiscation, surrender, recovery and other lawful actions, alongside more than a thousand weapons voluntarily deposited for safekeeping.
Why the Latest Recovery Matters
While the recovery of 64 firearms in one day is a significant operational accomplishment, the figure also underscores a continuing challenge: unregistered and undocumented weapons remain present in communities across Western Visayas.
The fact that the overwhelming majority of the firearms in the latest operation were voluntarily surrendered may point to the importance of community cooperation in firearms control. However, sustained enforcement, proper documentation and follow-through remain essential to determine whether these weapons were linked to previous criminal activity.
PRO-6 has said surrendered firearms are subject to established procedures, including documentation and forensic examination when necessary. Earlier police reports said weapons collected through the campaign may undergo ballistic examination to determine whether they were used in crimes.
For now, Western Visayas police say the campaign will continue — with authorities warning that the effort to remove loose firearms from communities is far from over.
Sixty-four firearms in 24 hours may be a major haul. But with thousands of weapons already accounted for in recent years, the bigger question remains: how many are still out there?
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