Camp Olivas, City of San Fernando, Pampanga – The Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) has successfully confiscated, recovered, and facilitated the surrender of a total of 250 loose firearms from June 20 to August 9, 2025, in its ongoing intensified campaign against illegal and unregistered firearms across Central Luzon.
The operations covered confiscations through search warrants, checkpoint operations, and incidental surrenders, along with firearms voluntarily deposited by citizens.
Nueva Ecija emerged as the top-performing province, recording a total of 72 loose firearms recovered — the highest among all police provincial offices. This figure includes 27 firearms confiscated through operations and 45 more surrendered or deposited by residents.
Following Nueva Ecija, Bulacan and Bataan both recorded 28 loose firearms each, while Pampanga tallied 22. Other areas with notable results include Tarlac (21), Zambales (20), and Aurora (18).
A total of 115 individuals were arrested during the operations, with 110 cases already filed in court, reflecting PRO3’s firm stance against violators of firearm laws.
PRO3’s sustained drive is in line with the directives of PNP Chief PGEN NICOLAS D. TORRE III, who has consistently underscored the importance of proactive policing and crime prevention through intensified operations against loose firearms.
PBGEN Ponce Rogelio Penones Jr, Regional Director of PRO3, commended the dedication of the units involved and emphasized that the results are aligned with the command’s strategic direction of ensuring peace and order through proactive law enforcement.
“The removal of these loose firearms from our communities directly contributes to public safety. Every firearm we recover is one less potential tool for crime. Nueva Ecija’s performance proves that strong community cooperation and relentless police operations can make a big difference. We will sustain these efforts as part of PRO3’s commitment to pursue peace, order, and public safety across Central Luzon,” the top cop of Central Luzon further stated.
The PRO3 leadership assured the public that the campaign will continue without letup, guided by the principle that peace and order are best achieved through prevention, swift enforcement, and the active participation of the community. Sustained checkpoints, inspections, and intelligence-driven operations will remain in place to target unlicensed firearms and violators of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act (Republic Act 10591).
