RESIDENTS of Maigo town, Lanao del Norte surrendered Tuesday, June 25, a total of 28 loose firearms with hundreds of ammunition to government authorities, military officials said.
Captain Clint Antipala, Army’s 1st Infantry Division acting information officer, said the firearms were surrendered to the 5th Mechanized Battalion in a ceremony held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Mindanao State University in Maigo.
Antipala said the surrendered loose firearms consisted of an AK-47 rifle, one Bushmaster, one Caliber 30 M1 Garand rifle, two Caliber 30 Carbine rifles, one M4 rifle, one M16 A1 “Baby Armalite” rifle, two caliber .22 rifles, three 40-milimter grenade launchers, nine 12 gauge shotguns and seven handguns.
Maigo, Lanao del Norte Mayor Rafael Rizalda, who facilitated the surrender of the firearms, thanked the Army for their effort in sustaining peace and development in the municipality during his stint as the town executive.
Brigadier General Ezra James Enriquez, Army’s 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade commander, said the campaign against proliferation of loose firearms aims to ensure that “the people would feel more secured and safe in their daily activities.”
The 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade has jurisdiction over the municipality of Maigo, Lanao del Norte.
Enriquez urged the people to cooperate and report to proper authorities the proliferation of firearms in their communities.
Lieutenant Colonel Rolando Orengo, commander of the 55th Mechanized Battalion, said the concerted effort and intensified collaboration among the troops, local communities, local chief executives and other stakeholders resulted to the surrender of the loose firearms in Magio town.
Major General Roberto Ancan, Army’s 1st Infantry Division and Joint Task Force Zampelan (Zamboanga Peninsula and Lanao Provinces) commander, lauded the troops, the local government unit and stakeholders of Maigo.
Ancan also asked for the trust and support of the constituents, local government units and stakeholders to the Armed Forces of the Philippines who continuously strive to attain just and lasting peace in the country. (Bong Garcia/SunStar Philippines)