Crackdown on Loose Firearms: Misamis Occidental Orders Police Surge to Block Crime Resurgence

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (November 2) — Misamis Occidental Governor Henry Oaminal has ordered law enforcement agencies to immediately step up operations against illegally possessed firearms across the province, warning that unchecked gun ownership risks bringing back organized criminal networks and armed syndicates.

The directive comes in the wake of recent security incidents in the province, prompting provincial leadership to take preemptive measures to safeguard peace and order.

Guarding Against a Return to Past Syndicates

Governor Oaminal emphasized that failing to curb illegal firearms opens the door to broader criminal activity, recalling how organized networks previously operated beyond provincial borders.

“Let us intensify the campaign against loose firearms because this was among our problems in the past,”Oaminal stated. “If we fail to suppress and address this, we could return to the situation where organized crime groups operate, followed by illegal drugs and armed goons.”

Core Security Mandates and Provincial Backing

To ensure sustained law enforcement operations, the provincial government outlined clear expectations and financial backing for anti-crime agencies:

Funding and Inter-Agency Coordination

Governor Oaminal assured police leadership and partner agencies that the provincial government has adequate financial resources to fund sustained police operations, intelligence gathering, and community security programs.

By coordinating joint initiatives with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and local government units, the province aims to protect residents and preserve hard-won peace gains.