Manila, Feb. 9 -- Alleged members of a private armed group (PAG) in Nueva Ecija surrendered unlicensed firearms and ammunition to the Police Regional Office-Central Luzon (PRO-3), an official said Sunday.

PRO-3 chief Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said the Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office (NEPPO) facilitated the voluntary surrender of an M-17 rifle, five silver caliber .45 pistols, one black Colt .380 pistol, a 12-guage shotgun and one black M-16 rifle, as well as several magazines and rounds of ammunition, in Barangay Papaya, San Antonio on Feb. 7.

Fajardo said the surrender boosts efforts to prevent violence as the 90-day campaign period for national positions starts Feb. 11 and for local posts on March 28.

"The voluntary surrender of ...