By Felipe V. Celino
Mayor Receliste “Tanoy” Escolin of the Municipality of President Roxas is urging other politicians to follow his lead and surrender their firearms.
“Although all my firearms are licensed, I decided to turn them over to the police as a sign of cooperation and to set an example,” said Escolin.
Escolin personally turned over one caliber .45 pistol with 14 live rounds, two long-barrel 12-gauge shotguns with 12 bullets and four magazines, and one rifle of the baby Armalite type with 49 live rounds.
The April 8, 2025 surrender of Escolin’s firearms is meant to send a message of commitment to a non-violent campaigning.
Despite his nine-year term limit, Escolin is a mayoralty candidate.
The President Roxas Municipal Police Station under the helm of Police Major Alfred De Leon welcomed Escolin’s actions as it is aligned with its “Tokhang Kontra Armas Luthang” (TKAL) program.
“This is part of our efforts to ensure a safe and peaceful election period,” De Leon said.
Meanwhile, the firearms will be returned to Escolin after the election period and in accordance with the rules set by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
