In a significant move towards ensuring peace during the upcoming elections, members of a suspected private armed group in Nueva Ecija handed over eight firearms and ammunition to the Police Regional Office-Central Luzon (PRO-3). The surrender took place in Barangay Papaya, San Antonio, on February 7, 2025, as confirmed by PRO-3 chief Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo.
The weapons turned in included an M-17 rifle, five .45 caliber pistols, a .380 Colt pistol, a 12-gauge shotgun, and an M-16 rifle, along with various magazines and ammunition. This act of voluntary surrender is seen as a positive step in the region’s efforts to curb potential violence as the election campaign period approaches, starting February 11 for national positions and March 28 for local posts.
Brig. Gen. Fajardo emphasized the effectiveness of the ongoing campaign against unlicensed firearms, stating, “The voluntary surrender of these firearms proves that our relentless campaign against loose firearms is working. We will not allow private armed groups or illegal weapons to threaten the peace and stability of Central Luzon.”
The successful collection of these firearms was attributed to the collaborative efforts of the Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office (NEPPO), local government units, and other law enforcement agencies. Fajardo urged others still in possession of unlicensed firearms to follow suit and surrender their weapons, reinforcing PRO-3’s commitment to maintaining a violence-free and law-abiding region.