The campaign against loose firearms in Maguindanao del Sur continues to gain ground, with more local officials and civilians turning over their unlicensed guns to military authorities, officials said Tuesday.
Candidates from Mamasapano, Maguindanao del Sur, participating in Monday’s military-led political candidates’ forum at the Army’s 33rd Infantry Battalion (33IB) headquarters in Rajah Buayan town, surrendered 13 unlicensed firearms.
Lt. Col. Udgie Villan, 33IB commander, said Mamasapano Mayor Akmad Ampatuan Jr. had convinced his constituents and other candidates to voluntarily surrender their unlicensed guns to help make the coming election peaceful.
Villan presented the rifles to Col. Edgar Catu, commander of the Army’s 601st Infantry Brigade.
“Your decision to surrender your rifles under the government’s Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Management Program aims to end the proliferation of loose firearms, disband private armed groups, and promote a culture of peace instead of a culture of violence,” Catu said in a statement.
Brig. Gen. Donald Gumiran, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division and head of Joint Task Force Central, lauded the local government officials and candidates for their voluntary gun surrender and support to the implementation of a SALW management program in the locality.
“By laying down our guns, you show support to our desire to come up with peaceful and progressive communities,” Gumiran said.
Since Jan. 1, the 6ID, which covers the provinces of Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, and parts of North Cotabato and Sarangani, has collected over 150 loose firearms from civilians and local officials. (PNA)
