ZAMBOANGA CITY – The western Mindanao Command has recorded additional 41 surrendered loose firearms for the month of January, 2021 only.
Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr., commander of the Westmincom, announced that of the 41, eight were newly surrendered .
Of the eight loose firearms consisted of six high-powered and two low-powered firearms, which were surrendered after the troops’ continuous conduct of key leader engagements.
These consist of the following: three caliber .50 Barrett Bolt Action Sniper rifles; one 7.62 millimeter (mm) FAL rifle; one M-79 grenade launcher; one caliber .30 U.S. Springfield Armory Garand rifle; one KG9 9-mm sub-machine gun; and, a caliber .45 pistol.
“This manifests the desire of the local government to participate in our quest for lasting peace and prosperity in the region,” Vinluan said.
Lt. Col. Rafman Altre, 82IB commander, who facilitated the surrender of the firearms said that the loose firearms were surrendered by the residents from the municipalities of Buadipuso Buntong, Bubong, Ditsaan Ramain, and the Clustered Lake barangays of Marawi City, all of Lanao del Sur.
The surrendered eight loose firearms on Tuesday brought to a total of 41 unlicensed guns that were surrendered to the operating units of Westmincom since January.
These include 21 in central Mindanao area, eight in ZamPelan, five in Sulu, four in Tawi-Tawi, two in Basilan and one in this city.
Vinluan said they expect more will be surrendered to the troops as they level-up the campaign against loose firearms this year. – Nikolai Gonzalo
