The military's campaign against loose firearms in the Maguindanao provinces is making progress, with the turning in of 18 assorted firearms and a 60mm mortar tube from civilians and local officials, the Army said Wednesday.
“This is a show of support from local officials for the government’s campaign against loose firearms under the Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Management Program,” said Lt. Col. Jerome Peñalosa, commander of the Army’s 2nd Mechanized Battalion, in a statement.
In Talitay, Maguindanao del Norte, nine local officials turned in their unlicensed firearms to the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion on Tuesday afternoon.
Talitay Mayor Sidik Amiril said the move reflects their desire for peace and stability in their communities, particularly with the upcoming elections.
“It is better to hand over these firearms to the government than risk them falling into the hands of lawless elements,” Amiril said.
The weapons included two 7.62mm sniper rifles, two 12-gauge shotguns, a .30-caliber Garand rifle, an M79 grenade launcher, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, and a 5.56mm Ultimax rifle.
Later that day, Peñalosa got seven more firearms, including a 60 mm mortar tube, from local officials in Datu Anggal Midtimbang, Maguindanao del Sur, during a turnover ceremony at the municipal covered court.
These weapons included two RPG launchers, a 7.62mm sniper rifle, one 12-gauge shotgun, two M79 grenade launchers, and the mortar tube.
Mayor Mary Joy Stephanie Uy-Midtimbang urged her constituents to turn in their unlicensed firearms as well, noting that doing so would contribute to peace in their communities.
“The surrender of these guns is crucial to our efforts to achieve lasting peace, where people no longer need to carry or possess firearms,” she said.
Meanwhile, on the same day in Cotabato City, civilians from Barangay Rosary Heights 5 turned in three firearms to the 5th Marine Battalion Landing Team.
Barangay Chairman Fidel Dino Maglalang Espino presented an M16 rifle, a .38-caliber revolver, and a .45-caliber pistol to military officials.
To date, nearly 80 loose firearms have been turned in to the Army’s 6th Infantry Division area of jurisdiction, covering the provinces of Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, and parts of North Cotabato and Sarangani. (PNA)
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