CAMP OLIVAS, City of San Fernando, Pampanga – Police Regional Office 3 (PRO-3) has significantly strengthened its campaign against loose firearms, posting marked improvements in operations with a total of 2,170 firearm recovered, arrests, and cases filed from Feb. 24 to June 28, 2026, compared to the same period last year.
During the period, PRO-3 conducted 1,011 anti-loose firearms operations compared to the 791 operations carried out during the same period in 2025.
The intensified efforts resulted in the recovery of 2,170 firearms, exceeding last year’s total of 1,698.
The region also recorded significant gains across other key indicators of its campaign wherein firearms increased from 426 to 568, while eight firearms were seized during police operations. No firearm seizure was recorded during the same period last year.
Community support also contributed to the campaign’s success, with 1,048 firearms voluntarily surrendered, more than tripling the 319 surrendered in 2025.
Meanwhile, police arrested 526 violators, up from 405 last year, and filed 506 criminal cases, compared to 393 during the same period in 2025.
PRO-3’s intensified operations continue to deliver tangible results on the ground. In the latest accomplishment, operatives of the Santa Maria Municipal Police Station, in coordination with other police units and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), arrested a high-value drug personality during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Guyong, Santa Maria, Bulacan, in the early hours of July 1.
The operation escalated into an armed encounter and led to the seizure of approximately 75 grams of suspected shabu valued at P510,000, along with a 9mm Glock pistol, a hand grenade, ammunition, and other evidence, underscoring the region’s sustained efforts to combat both illegal drugs and the proliferation of loose firearms.
Police Regional Director BGen Jess Mendez said the region’s accomplishments demonstrate PRO-3’s unwavering commitment to preventing crime by taking illegal firearms out of circulation.
“Every loose firearm recovered is a potential act of violence prevented,” said Mendez.
“Our recent accomplishments reflect the unwavering commitment of our personnel and the growing cooperation of our communities in keeping Central Luzon safe. We will continue to intensify our operations, strengthen intelligence and inter-agency coordination, and ensure that individuals who unlawfully possess firearms are held accountable under the law,” added Mendez.
Mendez emphasized that in line with the PNP Focused Agenda of PNP chief BGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., PRO-3 will continue to sustain intelligence-driven operations, strengthen collaboration with partner agencies, and deepen community engagement to curb the proliferation of loose firearms and preserve peace and order throughout Central Luzon.