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)
