CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – Officials from the towns of Shariff Saydona Mustapha and Sultan sa Barongis in this province on Monday turned over to authorities 11 loose firearms from residents in their respective areas.
Handed over during a simple ceremony held at the headquarters of the Army’s 40th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Zapakan, Rajah Buayan, Maguindanao were four M79 grenade launchers, an Ultimax light machine gun, two Barrett sniper rifles, a Carbine rifle, a KG9 machine pistol, and two .38 caliber pistols.
“This endeavor forms part of the Army’s 601st Brigade efforts to recover loose firearms in the area,” said Major Arvin John Encinas, Army’s 6th Infantry Division (ID) spokesperson.
Major Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, 6th ID commander and concurrent head of Joint Task Force Central, said efforts are sustained to work hand-in-hand in cooperation with other stakeholders in order to achieved peace and development in the area.
“I would like to express my utmost appreciation to the officials of the two towns who facilitated the handing over of the firearms and who have shown undying support for all our undertakings,” Sobejana said in a statement.
Since January this year, a total of 1,146 loose firearms were handed over to the 6th ID command. (Edwin Fernandez/PNA)
