2 weeks ago
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CEBU CITY — The Police Regional Office Central Visayas (PRO 7) dismantled 15 illegal gun-manufacturing sites in Danao City, Cebu, during a series of intelligence-driven operations from March 21 to May 16, 2025.
PRO 7 Director BGen. Redrico Maranan supervised the operations, including those conducted in upland areas of Barangay Cahumayan by personnel from the Regional Mobile Force Battalion Central Visayas and the Danao City Police Station.
Police arrested eight individuals, while one suspect surrendered during the operation.
The raiders seized 10 lathe machines, several unfinished and finished pistols, two lower receivers, three upper receivers, three barrels, assorted magazines, and various tools used in gun production.
Maranan said the operations were based on confirmed intelligence reports about illegal firearm production in Danao's mountainous villages.
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He added that this campaign followed the directive of Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil to eliminate the sources of loose firearms nationwide.
He noted that Danao has long been known for producing homemade firearms, locally referred to as paltiks, which are being supplied to criminal gangs, drug syndicates, private armed groups, and even terrorist organizations.
Maranan also said that around 80 percent of the loose firearms recovered in the region originated from Danao, and nearly all gun-related violence in Central Visayas involved these homemade pistols.
According to PRO 7 data, the region used to record more than 35 shooting incidents per month.
After the campaign against illegal firearms intensified, the average dropped to just three incidents daily.
"This mission is part of the strategic countermeasures against criminal gangs, drug syndicates, private armed groups and terrorists," Maranan said.
He emphasized that the successful dismantling of the factories disrupted a major portion of the country's illegal arms supply chain and likely prevented further violence.
He urged the public to continue supporting efforts to keep Central Visayas and the rest of the country safe.
