CABANATUAN CITY – The regional special operations task group (RSOTG) a team to oversee preparations for the safe and free midterm elections in May has netted 456 assorted firearms through checkpoint operations, implementation of search warrants and knocking on doors of gun owners in the province, a ranking official said.
Chief Supt. Wendy Rosario, RSOTG head, said that anti-loose firearms operations will continue even as there is no private armed group in its list yet.
“All private armed groups in Nueva Ecija have been previously delisted,” Rosario said.
Of the figure, 60 high powered firearms, and 38 low-powered were confiscated through checkpoints and Oplan Bakal; nine were recovered in armed encounters and service of search warrants; 387 (103 high powered and 285 low-powered) were voluntarily surrendered and 9 were confiscated via Comelec gun ban.
Rosario asked the public to inform the team of any politician who employs security agents as security personnel since all police escorts have been recalled.
“Let us all work together to show the real Nueva Ecija which is peaceful,” he said.
This developed as the regional police office hastily replaced on Tuesday Senior Supt. Walter Castillejos as provincial director. Senior Supt. Crisaldo Nieves took over his post in brief ceremonies.
Castillejos who served for only seven months here will be brought to Camp Olivas, Javier said.
Nieves urged his men to “serve without fear or favor.”
