By Nanette Guadalquiver June 17, 2019, 3:14 pm

BACOLOD CITY -- The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo) received on Monday 42 units of M14 rifle, which have been refurbished after being unused for some time.

The 42 units of M14 rifle which have been refurbished through the assistance of Negros Occidental Third District Rep. Alfredo Benitez. (Photo courtesy of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office PIO)

The firearms were turned over by Victorias City Association of Baragay Captains president Richard Sablan on behalf of 3rd District Rep. Alfredo Benitez, who initiated the project as part of his office’s assistance to the Negros Occidental police force.

Col. Romeo Baleros, police provincial director, thanked Benitez for making possible the use of the stocked and unserviceable firearms.

“These are now ready to be used to keep the province safe and secured,” Baleros said after the turnover program held at the parade grounds of Camp Alfredo M. Montelibano Sr. here.

He said the firearms will be distributed to the personnel of Negros Occidental Provincial Mobile Force Company to boost their firepower capability.

Meanwhile, the Negros Occidental police reported the recovery of 150 firearms during the election period from Jan. 13 to June 12 this year.

These included nine seized during checkpoint operations as well as 97 during police patrol and response. Also recovered were three more during Oplan Bakal/Sita/Galugad operations, 19 in various buy-busts, and 22 in other police operations.

During the gun ban implementation, the provincial police arrested 136 violators and filed 134 cases against the suspects. (PNA)