THE Army’s 18th Infantry Battalion (IB) in collaboration with the municipal government of Tipo-Tipo in Basilan province facilitated the ceremonial stenciling and inventory of 229 assorted loose and unregistered firearms.

Lieutenant Colonel Egverr Jonathan Abutin, 18IB commander, and Tipo-Tipo Mayor Arcam Istarul spearheaded the conduct of the event on Wednesday, September 15, at the Tipo-Tipo Proper village covered court, Tipo-Tipo.

Abutin said firearms are owned by residents from the 11 villages of Tipo-Tipo municipality.

He said 69 of the stenciled firearms are owned by villagers from Tipo-Tipo proper, 40 from Banah, 25 from Bangcuang, 24 from Bohelebung, 23 from Bohebaca, eight from Badja, 13 from Bohe-Tambak, 13 from Lagayas, eight from Limbo Upas, five from Baguindan and one from Silangkum.

Basilan Governor Hadjiman Hataman-Salliman, Police Colonel Rodrigo Maramo, Basilan Provincial Police Office director, and Brigadier General Domingo Gobway, Joint Task Force Basilan commander, witnessed the stenciling and inventory of the firearms.

“The (stenciling and inventory) is in relation to the Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) program that we successfully implemented here in Basilan,” Gobway said. “The stenciling is done to determine the serial number of the firearms for documentation purposes.

Major General Generoso Ponio, Western Mindanao Command acting commander, commended the Joint Task Force Basilan for the laudable initiative.

“This is a good move to gain the trust and support of the people,” Ponio said.

All the firearms were returned to their respective owner after the stenciling and inventory. (SunStar Zamboanga)