FORTY-FOUR loose firearms were surrendered to military authorities in the province of Lanao del Sur, military officials said Monday, November 18.

Colonel Jose Maria Cuerpo II, Army’s 103rd Infantry Brigade commander, said the firearms were surrendered around 10 a.m. Monday to the troops of the 55th Infantry Battalion in the town of Bayang, Lanao del Sur.

Cuerpo said the firearms were surrendered by the residents of Bayang and its neighboring municipalities.

He said Mayor Aslani Balt of Bayang, Lanao del Sur, facilitated the surrender of the loose firearms that included 27 caliber .45 pistols, one Garand rifles, one M653 bushmaster, two M-79 grenade launcher, two M-203 tubes, two homemade uzi sub-machinegun, five caliber .38 revolvers, one .380 pistol, one 9-mm pistol, one M-16 Armalite rifle, and one caliber 50 sniper rifle.

He attributed the surrender of the loose firearms to the concerted efforts and intensified collaboration among the troops, the communities, local chief executives, and other stakeholders in the province. (SunStar Zamboanga)