THE campaign of the government against the proliferation of loose firearms in Central Mindanao and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) continue to yield positive results, the military reported Tuesday, October 10, 2023.
The Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) reported that local officials from Aleosan, North Cotabato and two villages of the Special Geographic Area (SGA) of BARMM handed over 31 assorted firearms and two hand grenades to the government forces on Monday, October 9.
The Westmincom said the concerted efforts against the proliferation of loose firearms of the 602nd Infantry Brigade, 34th Infantry Battalion, and Aleosan Municipal Police Station resulted in the voluntary surrender of the firearms.
The surrendered firearms include one rocket-propelled grenade launcher, one Barret caliber .50 rifle, one Browning Automatic Rifle, three caliber .30 rifles, one 5.56-millimeter (mm) rifle, two 40-mm M79 launchers, 12 12-gauge shotguns, one KG9 caliber .45 rifle, two caliber 5.56 pistols, one caliber .45 pistol, two caliber .38 pistol, one caliber .38 revolver, one caliber .22 rifle, one 12-gauge pistol, and one 20-gauge pistol.
Also handed over were two hand grenades and assorted magazines, according to the Westmincom.
The presentation of surrendered loose firearms was presided over by Aleosan Mayor Eduardo Cabaya.
The village officials who handed over the loose firearms also signed a pledge of commitment for peaceful and orderly Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections 2023.
“We will sustain this campaign and work as a team in cooperation with other local government units in order to achieve our common goal,” Major Genera; Steve Crespillo, commander of Westmincom said. (SunStar Zamboanga)