THE Municipality of Sitangkai in the provionce of Tawi-Tawi has turned over six high-powered firearms and two handguns to the Marine Battalion Landing Team-12 (MBLT-12).

The 2nd Marine Brigade said in a statement on its social media page that the firearms was handed over Saturday, February 6, 2021, to the the MBLT-12 by Mayor Tiblan Ahaja of Sitangkai.

The firearms were surrendered by unlicensed gun holders to the municipal government.

The 2nd Marine Brigade said the mass surrender of firearms was a result of Security Sector Forum engagement of the MBLT-12’s 312th Marine Company with the local government units to compel individuals to surrender their unlicensed firearms to the Marines.

The brigade said cash incentives and sacks of rice were provided to those who yielded unlicensed firearms to encourage others to surrender their loose firearms.

“Let us continue our gains to make the Municipality Of Sitangkai more secured and peaceful island community, conducive to economic and eco-tourism activity,” the 2nd Marine Brigade said. (SunStar Zamboanga)