A TOTAL of 42 more loose firearms were stenciled in the municipality of Akbar, Basilan province, the military reported Friday, November 26.
Lieutenant Colonel Napoleon Pabon Jr., 68th Infantry Battalion commander, together with Akbar Mayor Alih Sali led the activity held Thursday, November 25, at the municipal gymnasium in Upper Bato-Bato village.
Of the 42 loose firearms, 22 are Garand rifles, five are M16A1 rifles, 12 are caliber .45 pistols, two are 9-mm pistols, and an R15.
"These are owned by members of the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team," Pabon said in a statement Friday, November 26.
Colonel Frederick Sales, 101st Infantry Brigade and Joint Task Force Basilan officer-in-charge; Basilan Provincial Administrator Manny Muarip; and Imraki Sali, Upper Bato-Bato village chief, witnessed the ceremonial stenciling of loose firearms.
The stenciling of loose firearms is aimed to account unlicensed guns in a particular locality.
"I would like to acknowledge the support of the local government of Akbar that led to the successful conduct of the activity," Sales said.
Akbar is the third municipality that conducted ceremonial stenciling of loose firearms in Basilan province.
"We have just taken another big stride towards peace through the eradication of loose firearms in the communities," Muarip said.
Meanwhile, Major General Alfredo Rosario Jr., commander of Western Mindanao Command, commended the Joint Task Force Basilan for the success of the new endeavor.
"We attribute this success to the cooperation of the local governments and the BasileƱos who sincerely support our campaign," Rosario said. (SunStar Zamboanga)