By Edwin Fernandez
COTABATO CITY – Village officials in Matanog, Maguindanao del Norte, surrendered 11 unlicensed firearms to authorities on Sunday afternoon, supporting the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (6ID) Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Management Program.
Lt. Col. John de la Cruz, commander of the 2nd Marine Battalion Landing Team (MBLT-2), said Matanog Mayor Zohria Bansil-Guro led barangay officials in turning over the firearms during a ceremony at the municipal building.
De la Cruz and Maguindanao del Norte Police Provincial Director Col. Eleuterio Ricardo received the firearms, which included assorted rifles and handguns.
In a statement Monday, de la Cruz praised the mayor and village officials for their cooperation in the campaign against loose firearms.
“This initiative will help ensure peaceful and orderly local elections in Matanog and nearby communities in May 2025,” he said.
Brig. Gen. Donald Gumiran, 6ID commander and head of the Army-led Joint Task Force Central, commended the local officials for their support.
“The SALW Management Program aims to remove unlicensed guns from unauthorized individuals, fostering peace and security in our communities,” Gumiran said in a separate statement.
He described the surrender as a testament to the strong collaboration between law enforcement and local officials in promoting public safety.
The program is part of ongoing efforts to reduce armed violence and ensure a secure environment for the upcoming elections. (PNA)
