TACLOBAN CITY – The implementation of the ‘Balik Baril’ program in Samar province will be a big help for the province to have a peaceful and orderly May 12, 2025 elections.
Thus said Governor Sharee Ann Tan who joined police provincial director Col.Antoneitto Eric Mendoza during the event.
The Balik Armas Program aims to encourage individuals, especially those in conflict-affected and remote areas, to voluntarily surrender unregistered or loose firearms.
This initiative is part of the Samar Police Provincial Office’s commitment in promoting responsible firearm ownership and reducing the proliferation of illegal firearms often linked to crimes and violence.
During the event, authorities presented a total of 43 surrendered firearms, 30 firearms kept for safekeeping, and 393 improvised firearms from 16 of the province’s 24 police stations and two mobile force companies.
The breakdown of surrendered firearms includes 10 firearms from the 1st Samar Provincial Mobile Force Company; 5 from Jiabong Municipal Police Station (MPS); 4 each from San Jose de Buan MPS, Tagapul-an MPS, and San Jorge MPS; 3 from Pagsanghan MPS; 2 each from Basey MPS, Calbiga MPS, and Daram MPS; and 1 each from the 2nd Samar Provincial Mobile Force Company, Sta. Rita MPS, Motiong MPS, Sta. Margarita MPS, Matuguinao MPS, Gandara MPS, and Calbayog City Police Station
“The Balik Armas Program is a critical step toward achieving a safer and more peaceful Samar. By voluntarily surrendering loose firearms, we are one step closer to preventing violence and building stronger communities,” said Col. Mendoza.
Samar, particularly in the first district, is often included in the list of areas of concern during the conduct of elections in the country due to the presence of armed groups and intense political rivalries, among other reasons.
While the program initially aims to ensure safe and peaceful elections, Mendoza noted that it also addresses the broader issue of loose firearms in local communities. “Even in areas that are not considered election hotspots, we encourage police stations to implement the program,” he added.
The firearms collected will undergo ballistic examination to determine if they were used in any criminal activities.
To support the program, the provincial government provided a P10,000 remuneration to gun owners who surrendered their firearms. In addition, police chiefs from the 16 participating stations received P10,000 cash incentives, along with another Php10,000 for their respective police stations.
Governor Tan appealed to police chiefs and local village officials to encourage more gun owners to surrender their unlicensed firearms, including those with expired licenses.
“This is to avoid untoward incidents, especially during the election period when emotions can run high, and political rivalries can escalate. By minimizing firearms possession, we can prevent unfortunate incidents,” she said.
Tan also urged the remaining four police stations with no accomplishments under the Balik Armas Program to exert more effort in convincing gun owners in their jurisdictions to surrender unlicensed firearms.
Both Governor Tan and PCol. Mendoza emphasized that the Balik Armas Program is a continuing initiative to curb the proliferation of loose firearms in Samar.
“We hope to minimize, if not eradicate, the presence of loose firearms in our communities to ensure lasting peace and order,” said Tan.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
