Maguindanao village execs yield more loose firearms

 

SURRENDERED. The guns handed over to the military by officials of Barangays Kuden, Gadungan, and Bintan, all of Talitay, Maguindanao on Monday (March 4). (Photo by 6ID)

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao — The military’s disarmament campaign continues to gain support from locals in Maguindanao as another set of loose firearms were voluntarily surrendered to the Philippine Army in Talitay town.

“It was the effort of the 90th Infantry Battalion (90IB) to gather as many loose firearms in its area of assignments and prevent the proliferation of weapons that could be used to kill or injure civilians,” said Maj. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Army’s 6th Infantry Division commander.

On Monday, officials of Barangays Kuden, Gadungan, and Bintan handed over two rifles, a handgun, and two 40-mm rifle grenade projectiles to the 90IB.

Sobejana, concurrent head of Joint Task Force Central, said the surrender of additional firearms was made possible with the help of town Councilor Kamid Buisan and the town’s association of village chairpersons.

On March 2, officials of Talitay also facilitated the surrender to the military of nine illegal firearms from the hands of civilians.

“We are calling on the people in Central Mindanao to sustain their support and cooperation in our campaign on loose firearms,” Sobejana said.

“For those who still possess firearms without legal documents, we will give you the chance to hand it over, otherwise you are subjected to legal actions,” he added.

To date, a total of 2,028 assorted firearms were either handed over or recovered by the 6th ID in its area of responsibility. (PNA/By Edwin Fernandez)