CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – Town officials of Datu Piang on Thursday turned over anew 10 more high-powered firearms to the military as it vowed to collect more unlicensed guns in support of President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign against loose firearms.
Mayor Genuine Kamaong led Datu Piang officials in turning over 10 assorted high-power guns to Lieutenant Colonel Alvin Iyog, Army’s 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion commander, and Brigadier General Deosdado Carreon, Army’s 601st Infantry Brigade commander.
The firearms, which include two 60mm mortar, 4 M79 grenade launchers, a .50-caliber Barrett sniper rifle, two 9mm pistols, and one 12-gauge shotgun, were voluntarily surrendered by civilians to the local government unit, Kamaong said.
Capt. Arvin John Encinas, speaking for the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (ID), said the turnover ceremonies took place during the town’s Peace and Order Council and Anti-Drug Abuse Council meeting held at the municipal gymnasium.
“We will sustain our campaign against loose firearms in partnership with the local government Units,” Carreon said after receiving the firearms during the ceremony.
It was the second time Datu Piang execs turned over unlicensed guns to the Army; the first being in April 7 in which town officials also surrendered 16 loose firearms.
Brigadier General Cirilito Sobejana, 6th ID commander, commended the efforts of Kamaong in pushing for the collection of loose guns from civilians.
“The continuous turn over of firearms is a clear manifestation of the sincere support of the civilians against loose firearms, as this will help prevent crimes and other acts of violence,” Sobejana said. (Edwin Fernandez/PNA)
