THE local government officials has turned over to military authorities 16 loose firearms, surrendered to them, in the municipality of Ampatuan, Maguindanao, officials announced.
Mayor Bai Leah Sangki of Ampatuan, Maguindanao, facilitated the surrender of the 16 loose firearms to military troops.
The firearms that were surrendered Monday, December 16, included four caliber .50 Barrett sniper rifles; one caliber 7.62-millimeter (mm) Barrett rifle; four 12-gauge shotguns; one rocket-propelled grenade; three 40-mm grenade launchers; one caliber .38 revolver; one 9-mm Uzi sub-machine gun, one caliber 5.56-mm Ultimax rifle; rounds of ammunition; and a magazine.
Lieutenant Colonel James Fernando, Army’s 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion commander, received the loose firearms.
In turn, Fernando, turned over the firearms to Colonel Jose Narciso, Army’s 601st Infantry Brigade commander, in a ceremony graced by village chiefs at the municipal hall of Ampatuan.
“We vow to sustain our campaign against unregistered firearms in our bid to stop the proliferation of illegal tools used by private armed groups to instigate violence in the area,” Narciso said.
“Rest assured of our troops’ resolve to make significant headway in our campaign against unlicensed firearms through our constant convergence with local government units and other sectors in central Mindanao,” said Major General Diosdado Carreon, Joint Task Force Central commander.
The surrendered firearms are currently in the custody of the Army’s 12th Mechanized Company headquarters for safekeeping.
“I am impressed by the local governments’ trust and commitment to peace. Their involvement in the multitudes of our mechanisms against terrorism, insurgency, and lawlessness has provided an avenue for the myriad of our unprecedented gains, thus bringing a breakthrough in our campaign in Mindanao,” said Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief.
“Our success in neutralizing these unlicensed firearms does not end here; we shall endeavor to engage our counterparts and more people to take part in this campaign to destroy all implements of violence and end hostilities in the area,” Sobejana added. (SunStar Zamboanga)