A 42-year-old man was arrested with a Magnum Caliber .357 revolver during an operation in Barangay Bagumbayan Sur, Naga City, Camarines Sur.

He was arrested because he did not have a license to carry a firearm and the revolver was not registered. 

"Ang pinaka-guidelines, kung possessor ka, or may baril ka, dapat lisensyado ang baril and licensed ka rin para maghawak ng baril; magkaiba ‘yun," PLTCOL. Chester Pomar, the Public Information Officer of the Naga City Police Office (NCPO), said.

Pangalawa diyan, ‘yung bebentahan mo, ganun din, lisensyado rin ‘yung bebentahan [mo dapat] para bumili o para mag-possess," Pomar added.

The arrest came as a License to Operate and Possess Firearms (LTOPF) caravan was approved in Libmanan, Camarines Sur to facilitate the renewal and registration of firearms for civilians and law enforcement personnel.

"Pagdating po sa proseso ng application ng LTOPF or firearm registration wala pong nagbago, mahigpit pa rin po tayo dun," PMAJ. Ricardo Legaspi, the Assistant Chief of the PNP Regional Civil Security Unit V, said.

The Regional Civil Security Unit of the PNP Bicol anticipates a surge in applicants, especially with the amended Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of RA 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Act.

This allows civilians to acquire semi-automatic and high-powered firearms.

However, the PNP clarified that civilians without an IRR and a LTOPF cannot simply purchase a firearm.

Records from the NCPO indicate a significant number of individuals surrendering unlicensed firearms through Oplan Katok.