By Edwin Fernandez
COTABATO CITY – Civilians voluntarily surrendered 21 weapons in Carmen, North Cotabato on Friday, in support of the military’s campaign against loose firearms.
Lt. Col. Erwin Jay Dumaghan, commanding officer of the Army’s 40th Infantry Battalion, said in a report Saturday that the firearms consisted of five homemade Barrett sniper rifles, seven M16 rifles, an M14 rifle, two M203 grenade launchers, and six rocket-propelled grenades with launchers.
He presented the surrendered firearms to Brig. Gen. Ricky P. Bunayog, the Army’s 602nd Infantry Brigade commander, who was pleased with the accomplishment.
“This surrender of guns indicates that the collaboration between local government, military, and civilians is effective in establishing a peaceful community,” Bunayog said in a statement Saturday.
Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Donald M. Gumiran, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (6ID), said he believes that the successful campaign against loose firearms is one of the foundations of the military’s “winning the peace” strategy.
“In every firearm that we demobilize means one safe community where people live peacefully,” Gumiran said in a separate statement, adding that the disarmament program is a concerted effort involving the military, local leaders, police, and other stakeholders.
So far, more than 400 assorted firearms have been turned in to the 6ID’s area of responsibility in Central Mindanao this year.
The 6ID covers the provinces of North Cotabato, Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, and part of Sarangani. (PNA)
