ELEMENTS of the Army’s 4th Mechanized Battalion have seized seven high-powered firearms in a remote village of Lanao del Norte, officials said Friday, June 12, 2020.

Lieutenant Colonel Domingo Dulay, commander of the 4th Mechanized Battalion, said the firearms, consisting of one Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR), three M-16 Armalite rifles, and three shotguns, were seized around 3 p.m. Friday in Darimbang village, Tagoloan, Lanao del Norte.

Dulay said the firearms were seized following receipt of reports from concerned citizens in Darimbang village.

Brigadier General Facundo Palafox IV, 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade commander, lauded the civilians who reported the locations of the loose firearms.

“The trust and support of the local populace in our area of operation to our campaign against loose firearms manifest their desire for lasting peace and prosperity in the province,” Palafox said.

Meanwhile, Major General Generoso Ponio, commander of the 1st Infantry Division and Joint Task Force Zampelan (Zamboanga Peninsula and Lanao Provinces), has urged the populace to continue reporting to security forces any threats and illegal activities that disrupt peace and prosperity in their community.

“We ensure to the public that we will respond to their call 24/7 to secure and protect them from any threats and to sustain the peace and progress in our area of responsibility,” Ponio added. (SunStar Zamboanga)