Local leaders have voluntarily surrendered 41 firearms and four explosives to authorities in Sultan Kudarat amid the intensified implementation of the Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) management program, the military said on Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
Lieutenant Colonel Tristan Rey Vallescas, commander of the 7th Infantry Battalion (7IB), said the firearms were surrendered on Monday, March 24, at the headquarters of the 7IB in Kapaya village, Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat.
Vallescas said the surrendered firearms consisted of seven high-powered firearms, 34 low-powered firearms, and four explosives.
The firearms include two M-79 grenade launchers, 33 shotguns (12 gauge), one 5.56-millimeter rifle, one caliber .50 Barrett rifle, three rifle grenades, one RPG rocket grenade launcher, one M14 rifle, one 5.56-mm pistol, and one M-16 rifle.
Vallescas said the firearms were surrendered by village chiefs and local leaders from various parts of Sultan Kudarat province.
He added that the surrendered weapons were turned over to Brigadier General Michael Santos, commander of the 603rd Infantry Brigade, through Colonel Ali Luis Macawaris, the deputy brigade commander.
Major General Donald Gumiran, commander of the 6ID and Joint Task Force (JTF)-Central, praised the exemplary actions of village leaders in supporting the dismantling of unlicensed firearms in Sultan Kudarat province.
“The successful surrender of the weapons is a significant step toward a more peaceful Sultan Kudarat. It shows the trust of our local leaders and citizens in our government and military,” Gumiran said in a statement.
“I commend the 7th Infantry Battalion for their dedication in implementing the campaign against loose firearms. We will continue to work together to maintain peace and security in our region,” he added. (SunStar Zamboanga)