OFFICIALS of the municipality of Datu Salibo, Maguindanao turned over 13 high-powered firearms to military authorities last Wednesday, February 6.

Datu Salibo Mayor Norodin Salasal led the turnover of the loose firearms on Wednesday to Colonel Joel Abregana and Lieutenant Colonel James Fernando, Army’s 601st Infantry Brigade deputy and 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion commanders, respectively.

Colonel Gerry Besana, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) information officer, said the surrendered firearms consisted of a Barrett sniper rifle, a Caliber .30 rifle, a Rocket-propelled grenade launcher, an M-14 rifle, a KG9 rifle, a UZI machine pistol, and seven M-79 grenade launchers.

Besana said Salasal informed them that the firearms were surrendered by the residents of Datu Salibo town.

It will contribute to the government forces’ sustained campaign for internal security in Datu Salibo.

“This (surrender) manifests that we are making a progress in our campaign to end the proliferation of loose firearms in Datu Salibo,” said Major General Cirilito Sobejana, Joint Task Force Central commander.

“This is also an offshoot of our persistent operations and cooperation with the police and the local government units in the area of operations,” said Sobejana, who is also the Army’s 6th Infantry Division commander.

Senior Superintendent Ronald Briones, Maguindanao OIC-provincial director; Datu Salibo Vice-Mayor Ingkong Mamantal; chairmen of 17 villages in Datu Salibo; and, other constituents witnessed the turnover of the firearms on Wednesday in the village of Sambulawan, Datu Salibo. (Bong Garcia/SunStar Philippines)