CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – Town officials of Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao have surrendered 10 loose firearms to the military on Friday.
Datu Saudi Ampatuan Mayor Anida Abas-Dimaukom turned over the high-powered guns to Brig. Gen. Diosdado Carreon, commander of the Army’s 601st Brigade, and Lt. Col. Alvin Iyog, commander of the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion, in a ceremony held at the municipal hall.
Capt. Arvin John Encinas, the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (ID) spokesperson, said the surrendered firearms included two 60-mm. mortar launchers, two sniper rifles, three M203 grenade launchers, one .50-caliber Barrett-type rifle, one .30-caliber machine gun, and an 81-mm mortar launcher.
Last April 24, the town also surrendered 17 loose firearms to the Army.
“The municipality of Datu Saudi has once again proven their support and cooperation to the campaign against loose firearms as this is their second time to hand over unlicensed firearms to the Army,” Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, the Army’s 6th Infantry Division commander, said in a statement.
The number of assorted loose firearms surrendered to the 61D since January has totaled 1,913. (Noel Punzalan/PNA)
