TWENTY-EIGHT assorted loose firearms were surrendered to military in Lanao del Sur amid the intensified campaign against unlicensed guns of the Joint Task Force (JTF)-Central and the untiring support of the stakeholders in the province.

The firearms were handed over by the chairpersons of the 26 village of Wao to Colonel Jovencio Gonzales, 602nd Infantry Brigade deputy commander.

The surrendered firearms include 21 12-gauge shotguns, four caliber .38 revolvers, one caliber .38 pistol, one 9-millimeter (mm) Uzi, and a caliber .22 revolver.

Wao Mayor Elvino Balicao Jr. and other municipal officials witnessed the ceremonial surrender of the loose firearms Monday, August 9.

"Said endeavor is through the continuous collaboration of the 34th Infantry Battalion, Wao Municipal Police Station, and the barangay officials," said Brigadier General Roberto Capulong, 602nd Infantry Brigade commander.

Major General Juvymax Uy, JTF-Central commander, commended the troops and expressed his appreciation to the local leaders for their genuine gesture of support to the campaign against the proliferation of loose firearms in Central and South Mindanao.

Since January, the JTF-Central recovered a total of 62 loose firearms in its area of operation.

"We are working doubly to clear the communities from loose firearms, disarm the armed groups, end terrorism, and sustain the peace in our area of operation," said Lieutenant General Corleto Vinluan Jr., commander of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom).

"Let us all continue to do our part for the long-coveted peace to last," Vinluan added. (SunStar Zamboanga)