Maguindanao leaders surrender more loose arms ahead of PRRD visit

PRES. QUIRINO, Sultan Kudarat -- More high-powered weapons were turned over by local government officials of nearby Maguindanao province during simple ceremonies attended by military and civilian leaders Tuesday, on the eve of President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s visit to the area to accept all surrendered guns.

Mayor Zihan Mamalinta-Mangudadatu of Pandag town spearheaded the turnover of 18 high-caliber weapons a day before Duterte's visit to Buluan, Maguindanao.

Among the weapons handed over to Brig. Gen. Bismarck Soliba, commander of the Army’s 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade, were six M14 rifles, two 5.56-mm. M653 Rifles, three Garand rifles, two M79 grenade launchers, one Caliber 30 machinegun, one rocket-propelled grenade launcher, and one Carbine rifle.

In a separate ceremony in Mangudadatu town, also on Tuesday, Mayor Freddie Mangudadatu handed over 14 high-powered weapons, consisting of six M14 rifles, two M653 rifles, four M79 grenade launchers, one Carbine rifle, and one home-made Cal. 50 Barrett sniper rifle.

“I would like to acknowledge the cooperation of my barangay captains for helping me convince people to voluntarily surrender weapons in the name of peace,” Mangudadatu said. “We will always support our national government in its campaign to eliminate lawlessness and violence that are caused by deadly weapons."

Regional Assemblyman Khadafeh Mangudadatu was among the lawmakers who supported the government’s campaign against the proliferation of loose firearms.

“I had witnessed the disastrous effects of violence during the times that thousands of illegal firearms circulated in various communities around the province. We can only display the semblance of peace when illegal firearms are replaced with implements for farms,” he said.

Earlier, Lt. Col Harold Cabunoc, commanding officer of the 33rd Infantry Battalion, repeatedly encouraged all local chief executives in his area of jurisdiction to support the government’s peace and development campaign. His call was welcomed by local officials.

“We must collaborate in hindering the spread of illegal firearms in Central Mindanao. We will always support the local government in keeping the peace so that you can maximize the delivery of services to the people,” Cabunoc said.

Duterte is scheduled to visit Buluan at 3 p.m. Wednesday where local military and provincial officials, to be led by Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu, who would present to him the nearly 500 loose firearms collected since the implementation of martial law in Mindanao. (PNA/By Edwin Fernandez /re-posted by Becky D. de Asis-Redline News Philippines)