By Edwin Fernandez
COTABATO CITY – The government’s campaign against loose firearms continues to gain momentum in Maguindanao del Norte as more unlicensed armaments were turned over to the military from Talitay town on Monday afternoon.
In a Tuesday report, Lt. Col. William Sabado, commander of the Army’s 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion (1Mech), said the firearms were presented to Brig. Gen. Edgar L. Catu, commander of the 601st Infantry Brigade, during the surrender rites at the 1Mech headquarters in adjacent Datu Anggal Midtimbang town in Maguindanao del Sur.
“Civilians and village officials voluntarily turned in their war materials to the local government in support of the campaign against the proliferation of unlicensed guns,” Sabado said.
Talitay Mayor Sedik Ameril said the surrender of firearms resulted from collaboration and coordination between the Army and the local government unit, down to the barangay level.
Catu welcomed the surrender of the firearms, which included three rifles, two rocket-propelled grenade launchers and ammunition, a submachine gun, two 9mm Uzi pistols, a .30-caliber Garand rifle, a .50-caliber Barrett sniper rifle, and a hand grenade.
“We commend the civilians for choosing the right decision; otherwise, they would be subjected to law enforcement operations sooner or later,” Catu said in a statement on Tuesday.
Major Gen. Jose Vladimir R. Cagara, commander of the 6th Infantry Division, lauded the military units and local officials for their collaboration and cooperation that led to the surrender of unlicensed war materials from unauthorized individuals. (PNA)
