Residents surrender 15 loose firearms in Maguindanao

ZAMBOANGA City, Philippines — Local residents surrendered loose firearms to authorities Friday March 2, 2018 in the Municipality of Datu Unsay Maguindanao.

Brigadier General Diosdado Carreon, Commander 601st Infantry Brigade said untiring support of the local chief executives in Maguindanao on the Joint Task Forces Central’s campaign against loose firearms are continually progressing.

Carreon and  Municipal Officials of Datu Unsay headed by Hon. Bai Reshal S. Ampatuan received the firearms at the Municipal Hall.

Surrendered were one M16A1 rifle, three M1 Garand rifles, four homemade 12 gauge shotgun, two homemade shotgun (converted), two caliber 45, one caliber 9mm and two Uzi.

The authorities did not identify the owners of the firearms but only said  residents of Barangays Meta, Maitumaig, Pananget, Macalag, Tuntungan and Bulayan all of Datu Unsay.

Carreon said endeavor is through the continuous collaboration of government forces with the local chief executives and barangay officials in the implementation of martial law and the campaign against loose firearms.

Last Febraury 27, 2018 residents of the municipalities of Buldon, Parang, Matanaog and Barira in Maguindanao also surrendered a total of 88 high and low powered loose firearms.

Major General Arnel B Dela Vega, Commander Joint Task Force Central expressed his appreciation to the people of Maguindanao under his area of jurisdiction for their commendable action and genuine gesture in giving up their firearms.

From January 1 to March 3, this year, 388 loose firearms were already turned-over to the JTF’s of WestMinCom, 192 of which were surrendered in Zamboanga, 52 in Sulu, 30 in ZamPeLan, and 114 in Central.

“The campaign of the government against loose firearms seeks to stop the clan war or rido cases, disarm the armed groups, and prevent terrorism particularly in the provinces of Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur,” said Lieutenant General Carlito G Galvez, Jr., Commander, Western Mindanao Command.

Galvez lauded his troop  “Again, my congratulations to our Joint Task Force Central headed by Major General Arnel Delavega for this accomplishment.”-Richard G. Falcatan/Newsline.ph