CEBU CITY – The head of the Central Visayas police force, Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan, has committed to maintaining an impartial stance as the region prepares for the upcoming midterm elections on May 12. Maranan, who leads the Police Regional Office (PRO)-7, emphasized that their primary focus is on intensifying efforts to combat the circulation of loose firearms.
In a statement, Maranan assured the public that PRO-7 would remain neutral and nonpartisan throughout the electoral process, with a strong emphasis on public safety. He highlighted the ongoing implementation of new and effective anti-crime measures, specifically targeting the issue of unregistered firearms.
As the 2025 National and Local Elections draw near, Maranan’s goal is to ensure a safer Central Visayas, with the ultimate aim of achieving zero gun-related incidents. Recent data from the PRO-7 Regional Monitoring Action Center indicates that between January 12 and 20, 35 individuals were arrested, and an equivalent number of unregistered firearms were confiscated. The seized items included 13 pistols and 22 revolvers, along with various types of ammunition.
Since January 12, a total of 3,591 joint checkpoints have been set up in collaboration with the region’s election offices and the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Maranan stated that these strategic, mobile, border control, and combined police-military checkpoints are designed to create a fair and secure environment for the elections.