ZAMBOANGA CITY — Forty-five assorted high-powered firearms were voluntarily surrendered by local government officials in two towns of Zamboanga Sibugay province, a top police official said Tuesday.
Chief Supt. Billy Beltran, Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9) director, said the firearms were surrendered on Monday by town and barangay officials of Alicia and Tungawan.
Beltran said that 39 of the 45 firearms were surrendered by municipal and barangay officials of Alicia led by Mayor Yashier Musa and Vice Mayor Humberto Sotto.
The surrendered firearms consisted of the 29 home-made 12-gauge shotguns; three M-16 rifles; two M-14 rifles; one Caliber .30 M1 Garand rifle; one M203 grenade launcher; and three caliber .45 pistols.
The surrender of the firearms was facilitated by Chief Insp. Rico Pondol, the police chief of Alicia, at the town plaza in Barangay Poblacion.
Meanwhile, the remaining six firearms were surrendered by Mobin Tamonan, the barangay chairperson of Tigpalay, Tungawan, Zamboanga Sibugay.
Beltran said the firearms that Tamonan surrendered were two Shooters 12-gauge shotguns; three homemade 12-gauge shotguns; and a 9-mm pistol.
Beltran said the campaign to account loose firearms in the region will continue in line with the campaign against unlicensed guns of President Rodrigo Duterte. (PNA)
