CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao — The military has voiced confidence that the surrender of unlicensed firearms to authorities will help ensure a peaceful and orderly May 14 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) in Datu Paglas, Maguindanao.
Led by Datu Paglas Mayor Abubacar Paglas, at least 22 loose firearms collected from residents by the local government unit were turned over Monday to Lt. Colonel Harold Cabunoc, the commander of the Army’s 33rd Infantry Battalion (IB).
Datu Paglas is the third municipality within the 33rd IB’s area of responsibility that has complied with the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte to collect and hand over loose firearms to authorities, Col. Cabunoc said.
Among the firearms surrendered were two Garand rifles, one Carbine caliber .30, four M14 rifles, one M16, one .30-caliber Barrett sniper’s rifle, six Springfield bolt action rifles, one M7 rifle, three shotguns, and two submachine guns.
“(It is) our intention to support the Balik Baril program because it will free our constituents from harm,” Paglas said.
The mayor added he hopes to receive more loose guns from civilians in the runup to the elections “so we will have a peaceful election.”
Cabunoc said the military is open to accept guns voluntarily surrendered by civilians, but will also continue to hunt down those in possession of unlicensed firearms.
Maj. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, lauded the residents of Datu Paglas for participating in the government’s disarmament program “to help build a peaceful community.”
Since January, a total of 1,041 firearms were surrendered and recovered in the areas covered by the 6ID that include the provinces of Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, parts of North Cotabato and Lanao del Sur. (Edwin Fernandez/PNA)
