RESIDENTS of Talitay town in Maguindanao surrendered nine more undocumented firearms to the military from February 28 to March 2.

Major General Cirilito Sobejana, Army’s 6th Infantry Division commander, said the firearms were surrendered to the 90th Infantry Battalion’s Alpha Company led

by 1st Lieutenant Bladimer Suangue.

These included two M-16 Armalite rifles, five shotguns, an M-14 rifle, and a caliber .38 pistol.

These came from residents of Poblacion, Pageda, Kilalan, Macadayon, Manggay, and Kiladap villages in Talitay.

Sobejana thanked and commended the Association of Barangay Captains of Talitay headed by Datu Fajad Midtimbang for their support to the military’s campaign against loose firearms.

As of March 3, Sobejana said they have recovered some 2,025 firearms in the operational area of his command

“Rest assured that we will remain committed in curbing the proliferation of undocumented firearms, the resolution of which will aid in our efforts to address security issues that beset Mindanao,” said Lieutenant General Arnel dela Vega, commander of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom).

“We, of course, attribute this progress to the commitment of our troops on the ground and that of the leaders and of the people of Maguindanao, who are with us in our campaign for peace in the regions of Mindanao,” Dela Vega said.

“Together, we will continue to achieve greater feats for long-term security and development in Mindanao,” he added. (SunStar Philippines)