TWENTY unlicensed guns were surrendered to military by residents in one of the towns in Lanao del Norte, as the campaign against the proliferation of loose firearms in the province continues, officials said.

Lieutenant Colonel Rolando Orengo, Army's 55th Mechanized Battalion commander, said the firearms were surrendered around 10 a.m. Wednesday, November 27, in Magsaysay, Lanao del Norte.

The loose firearms that were surrendered consisted of one FAL caliber 7.62, one M-14 rifle, three M16A1 "Baby Armalite" rifles, one M635 rifle with grenade launcher, four carbine rifles, and 10 handguns.

Magsaysay town Mayor Haron Omar Sr. facilitated the surrender of the loose firearms.

Omar has thanked the Army for its effort in sustaining peace and development in Magsaysay and assured the continuous collaboration and support of the local government to the 5th Mechanized Battalion.

Brigadier General Facundo Palafox IV, 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade commander, called for the cooperation of the residents in the campaign against loose firearms.

Palafox also urged them to report to proper authorities the proliferation of firearms in their communities. (SunStar Zamboanga)