Manila, Feb. 25 -- More than 15,000 firearms were seized and about 5,500 individuals were arrested during a seven-month campaign against loose firearms and gunrunners, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

From August 2025 to Feb. 19, 2026, authorities arrested 5,547 individuals and seized or received 15,428 firearms. This excludes 1,474 firearms voluntarily turned over for safekeeping, "demonstrating public willingness to support preventive measures," the PNP said in a statement Wednesday.

In 2026 alone, 1,474 individuals were arrested for illegal possession of firearms. Police also confiscated, seized, or received 4,684 firearms for violations of Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act) wh...