LABANGAN, Zamboanga del Sur — Officials of Pantao-Ragat town in Lanao del Norte province turned over 23 assorted high-powered loose firearms to government authorities, military officials announced Monday.
Major Ronald Suscano, Army’s 1st Infantry Division information officer, said the firearms were handed over to Col. Robert Dauz, the 2nd Mechanized Brigade commander, in a ceremony Saturday at the Pantao-Ragat town hall.
Suscano said the firearms that were surrendered by the town officials, headed by Mayor Lacson Lantud, included 10 Garand rifles; two M4 rifles; four “Baby” Armalite rifles; one caliber .30 Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR); and, six Carbine rifles.
The firearms were turned over for safekeeping at the headquarters of the 2nd Mechanized Brigade in Iligan City.
Lantud said the surrender of the firearms was in support of the national government’s drive against the proliferation of unlicensed guns.
“We fully support the national campaign of the military and the government against loose firearms. We want our town to be peaceful and progressive and we will strive to get even more by convincing other residents to also surrender their unregistered firearms,” Lantud said.
Dauz encouraged the local officials, who attended the hand-over ceremony, to continuously convince their constituents to surrender their loose firearms and fully cooperate with the local government and the military to attain peace and development.
It can be recalled that a series of surrender of loose firearms happened in Lanao del Norte, which started in the municipality of Munai on April 6.
As of April 21, Suscano said that a total of 100 loose firearms were already surrendered in Lanao del Norte.
He said it was expected that other municipalities in Lanao del Norte will follow.
Major Gen. Roseller Murillo, the Army’s First Infantry Division commander, lauded the troops of the 4th Mechanized Battalion for their efforts and successful negotiations with the civilian residents, in partnership with the local chief executives, that led to the voluntary surrender of the loose firearms. (Hirohito Cadion/PNA)
