RSOTG nets 456 guns in Nueva Ecija

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija, Jan. 16 (PNA) -- The Regional Special Operations Task Group (RSOTG), a team to oversee preparations for the safe and free (SAFE) midterm elections on May, has netted 456 assorted firearms through conduct of checkpoint operations, implementation of search warrants and knocking on doors of gun owners in the province, a ranking police official said on Wednesday. Chief Supt. Wendy Rosario, RSOTG head, said the anti-loose firearms operations will continue even as there is no private armed group in its list yet. "All private armed groups in Nueva Ecija have been previously delisted," Rosario said. Of the figure, 50 firearms, involving high-powered and low-powered were confiscated through checkpoints and Oplan Bakal; nine were recovered in armed encounters and service of search warrants; 388 (103 high powered and 285 low-powered) were voluntarily surrendered and nine were confiscated through Comelec gun ban. Rosario asked the public to inform the team of any politicians that employ security agents or personnel since all police escorts have been recalled. "Let us all work together to show the real Nueva Ecija which is peaceful," he said. This as the Regional Police Office (RPO) replaced on Tuesday Senior Supt. Walter Castillejos as director of the provincial police. He was replaced by Senior Supt. Crisaldo Nieves in a brief ceremony held in Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija. Castillejos who served for only seven months here will be brought to Camp Olivas. Nieves urged his men to serve without fear or favor. (PNA)