COTABATO CITY — The campaign against loose firearms in the newly-formed Maguindanao del Norte province gained significant momentum Thursday as over 600 assorted unlicensed guns were surrendered to the military in Upi town.
The massive turnover is a key success of the government’s peace and security program, which offers amnesty and livelihood incentives in exchange for the weapons, reducing the potential for violence in the Bangsamoro region.
The ceremonial event, held at the Upi municipal gymnasium, saw civilians voluntarily turning over a wide array of weapons, ranging from standard rifles to high-powered and crew-served weapons. The inventory included dangerous materials such as mortar tubes and .50-caliber sniper rifles, highlighting the military’s success in convincing owners of these potent weapons to cooperate with the disarmament initiative.
Lt. Gen. Donald Gumiran, Commander of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) and the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (6ID), accepted the surrendered weapons. “The ceremonial turnover of the weapons was more than just a simple event—it was a powerful statement that our people are ready to embrace peace, to lay down their arms, and to extend their hand in trust,” General Gumiran said in a statement released Friday, commending the cooperation of the community.
The initiative falls under the government’s comprehensive Assistance for Security, Peace, Integration, and Recovery for Advancing Human Security (ASPIRE) program within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Crucially, the gun owners who complied with the program will receive a tailored livelihood package from the government, ensuring they have an economic alternative to possessing illicit weapons. The effort is supported by crucial partnerships, including assistance from the United Nations Development Program.
Upi Mayor Rona Cristina expressed her support for the initiative, noting that the community’s willingness to surrender the firearms demonstrates their commitment to the broader peace agenda. In a separate statement, Mayor Cristina affirmed the local government’s stance, asserting, “We are a peace-loving people, we believe that a peaceful environment is conducive to development,” underscoring the link between disarmament and economic progress.
