CAMP DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet — The Police Regional Office (PRO) in the Cordillera was adjudged the top performing region in the implementation of the first phase of the national firearms amnesty program or the gun amnesty, besting 16 other regional offices nationwide.

Since July of this year, PRO-CAR has been in the forefront of its information drive within the Cordillera for all firearm holders to renew and legalize their ownership under the gun amnesty through the tri-media, barangay visitation, ugnayan with the community, and coordination with other line agencies.

Superintendent Ramil Saculles, chief of the Regional Operations and Plans Division, reported a total of 1, 451 renewed firearms covering the period July to October 31, 2009. Baguio City Police Office had the highest number of renewal with a total of 326. On the other hand, a total of 766 registered their firearms for the same period covered. Abra Provincial Police Office had the highest number with a total of 355 registered firearms.

Because of the stringent police operations relative to the proliferation of illegal firearms, a total of 245 were recovered, surrendered, and confiscated from July to October 2009. Abra PPO had the most number with a total of 91.