CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao — Local officials in North Cotabato and Maguindanao provinces separately surrendered 123 firearms to military authorities here in the past two days.
Capt. Arvin John Encinas, Army’s 6th Infantry Division (6ID) spokesman, said loose firearms were turned over by civilians to their respective local officials under the government’s “Balik Baril” program.
On Wednesday, officials of Midsayap, North Cotabato, surrendered 47 unregistered firearms during a simple turnover ceremony held at the barangay hall of Poblacion 5 in the area.
Witnessing the event were Midsayap Mayor Romeo Araña; North Cotabato 1st District Board Member Rolando Sacdalan; Lt. Col. Angelo Lutera, 34th Infantry Battalion (IB) commander; and town police chief, Supt. Gilbert Tuzon, among others.
Subsequently, the firearms were brought to the headquarters of the 34th IB in Barangay Salunayan for proper documentation.
On Tuesday, the local governments of Sultan Kudarat and Sultan Mastura in Maguindanao also turned over 45 and 31 loose firearms, respectively.
Sultan Kudarat Mayor Datu Shameem Mastura; Sultan Mastura Mayor Datu Rauf Mastura; and Army’s 603rd Infantry Brigade Commander Brig. Gen. Jesus Sarsagat attended the turnover rites held at the municipal hall of Sultan Kudarat.
Sarsagat expressed his gratitude to the local officials of both municipalities for the fruitful outcome of the campaign against illegal firearms in their respective turfs.
“These loose firearms will never be used now to sow terror in the community, hence everybody must embrace the culture of peace,” he said.
In a statement, Maj. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, 6ID commander, said a total of 515 firearms have so far been “recovered and surrendered” in the 6ID area of responsibility. (Noel Punzalan/PNA)
