Army-led drive vs loose guns nets 140 assorted firearms

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao –- The Army’s campaign against loose firearms has been gaining ground with more people with unlicensed guns from five Lanao del Sur towns voluntarily turned over their guns, an Army official said.

Capt. Arvin John Encinas, Army’s 6th Infantry Division spokesperson, told reporters that Lanao gun owners have been supporting the campaign to rid communities of loose guns.

The firearms were from residents of the coastal towns of Pikong, Malabang, Marogong, Balabagan and Kapatagan, all in Lanao del Sur. The towns are under the operational area of the 6ID.

The firearms, collected through the Ranao Ragat Inter-Agency Task Force, were turned over by residents at the Army’s 6th Infantry Battalion headquarters in Barangay Matling, Malabang, Lanao del Sur on Monday morning.

“We lauded the local residents for responding to our calls for their guns to be turned over to the military,” Encinas told reporters. “The idea is to avoid having these guns landed in the hands of law offenders.”

In the past, big clans kept their firearms to protect themselves from family enemies who are also armed.

Encinas said the government, military and local executives are working together to address clan wars, more known in the locality as “rido,” by bringing them together and work with the government.

Spearheaded by the Army’s 603rd Infantry Brigade, the comprehensive campaign against loose firearms has so far gathered 140 assorted high-powered guns.

This campaign has elated Major Gen. Arnel dela Vega, Army’s 6ID chief, who said the same program will be replicated in other local communities under the 6ID area of responsibility.

The 6ID, which is based in Maguindanao, has supervision over the provinces of Maguindanao, parts of Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabato, and Lanao del Sur. (PNA)

Popular

PBBM turns over millions worth of agri support to MisOr farmers

By Darryl John Esguerra | Philippine News Agency President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday turned over various agricultural support projects to farmers in Misamis...

Balingoan Port expansion to boost regional tourism, trade — PBBM

By Brian Campued President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday highlighted the importance of upgrading the Balingoan Port in the growth of Northern Mindanao, noting...

PBBM renews call for stronger mechanisms, regulation against fake news

By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet In cognition of rapid advancements in digital technology, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. urged the Department of Information and Communications Technology...

PBBM declares April 22 as nat’l day of mourning for ‘Superstar’ Nora Aunor

By Brian Campued President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has declared Tuesday as a “Day of National Mourning” over the passing of National Artist for Film...