By Noel Punzalan/PNA
CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao — Local officials in this province are demonstrating their full support for the military’s disarmament program by actively participating in the collection of unlicensed firearms from the hands of civilians and turn them over to authorities.
The latest local government unit (LGU) to do this was Ampatuan town, which handed over 26 assorted firearms to the Army’s 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion (MIB) on Thursday.
In a report, Lt. Col. Alvin Iyog, commander of 2nd MIB, received the surrendered firearms that came from the town’s 11 villages, through Mayor Rasul Sangki during a simple ceremony held at the Ampatuan town hall.
The weapons included 14 pieces 12-gauge shotgun, four .38 caliber revolvers, one M-203 grenade launcher, two .45 caliber pistols, one homemade 12-gauge pistol, two M-79 grenade launchers, one M1 Garand rifle, and one 60-mm. mortar tube.
“We are glad that the Ampatuan LGU fully supports the government disarmament program because it would contribute much to the improvement of peace and order in the town, especially in the forthcoming election,” Iyog said.
“The firearms presented to us will be a great help in reduction of criminalities and violence in the communities,” he added.
Informed of the latest 2nd MIB accomplishment, Maj. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (6ID) and concurrent head of Task Force Central, urged other LGUs in his area of responsibility to continue their support to the campaign against illegal guns to achieve lasting peace and order in Central Mindanao.
The 6th ID covers the provinces of Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabato and parts of Lanao del Sur as its operational jurisdiction.