LOCAL government officials in two provinces in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm) have separately turned over 24 firearms to military authorities, officials announced.
Eight of the 24 firearms were handed over Thursday, June 25, to the Army’s 1st Mechanized Brigade by Mayor Datu Andal Ampatuan of Datu Unsay town in Maguindanao.
The remaining 16 firearms were turned over Wednesday, June 24, to the Army’s 4th Special Forces Battalion by Mayor Newerlyn Mansul of Hadji Muhtamad, Basilan province.
The firearms that were turned over by Amptuan were the following: one U.S.-made carbine .30 M1 carbine rifle; one U.S.-made caliber 30 M1 springfield rifle; one M-79 grenade launcher; one 7.62-mm sniper rifle; one caliber 50 barrett sniper rifle; one caliber 45 pistol; two rocket propelled grenade (RPG) launchers; and ammunition.
Colonel Jesus Rico Atencio, First Mechanized Brigade commander, said the handing over of the firearms was their gesture of commitment on the government’s campaign against loose firearms.
“I would like to attribute this accomplishment to the local government officials and the peace-loving people of Datu Unsay,” said Major General Diosdado Carreon, Joint Task Force Central commander.
The firearms Mansul turned over to the troops are the following: 10 caliber .30 M1 garand rifles; two M-16 “baby” armalite rifles; one U.S. caliber .30 carbine rifle; two 9mm lugger submachine gun; and a caliber .45 pistol and assorted ammunition.
The loose firearms were collected by the Municipal Government of Hadji Muhtamad from the residents of the town.
“We would like to urge other officials and populace to do their share of commitment to sustain peace in the community while we continue the fight against the invisible enemy (coronavirus disease 2019),” said General Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom).
“Significantly, one of the efforts of the command is diplomatic mentoring where we continuously earn the local officials and communities’ trust and support in our campaign to free the communities from the cradle of violence,” Sobejana said.
The surrendered firearms were brought to headquarters of the 4th Special Force Battalion in Cabunbata village, Isabela City, Basilan for documentation and proper disposition.
“On behalf of the men and women of Joint Task Force (JTF) Basilan, I would like to express my gratitude to Mayor Mansul for handing over 16 loose firearms to the 4th Special Forces Battalion,” said Brigadier General Fernando Reyeg, JTF Basilan commander.
The surrender of the 24 firearms in Datu Unsay, Maguindanao and Hadji Muhtamad, Basilan came a few days after some 124 loose firearms were surrendered in Datu Paglas, also in the province of Maguindanao.
The loose firearms handed over on June 22 by Datu Paglas Mayor Abubakar Paglas to military authorities are as follows: 82 M-16 armalite rifles; 27 M-14 rifles; one caliber 30 machine gun; six M-203 grenade launchers; two M-60 general purpose machine guns; one M-79 grenade launcher; and one 12 gauge shotgun. (SunStar Zamboanga)