Ninety one loose firearms and explosives turned-over in Siay Zamboanga Sibugay Province

By JONG CADION

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (June 7, 2018) – A total of eighty five assorted loose firearms and six explosives were turned-over to Joint Task Force “ZamPeLan” by the different barangays of Siay municipality in Zamboanga Sibugay Province in a simple ceremony held at the Sangguniang Bayan Session Hall, Brgy Poblacion, Siay Wednesday June 06, 2018.

       

Division Public Affairs Office (DPAO) Chief Maj. Ronald E. Suscano said the ceremony was led by the Municipal Mayor of Siay, Mayor Jarvis Acosta.

Also attending the activity were officers under JTF “ZamPeLan” led by Col Francisco Ariel Felicidario, 102^nd Brigade Commander who was represented by Ltc Jonathan P Obena, Commanding Officer of 44^th Infantry Battalion, Zamboanga Sibugay Provincial Police Office led by PSSUPT Nestor Y. Tiempo, Municipal police, LGU, Brgy officials and some local folks of Siay, Maj. Suscano added.

       

After the inventory, turned-over firearms include:

• one (1) M14,
• one (1) M16, and
• seven (7) Garand rifles,
• two (2) Carbine,
• fifty eight (58) improvised homemade shotguns,
• three (3) cal .45 pistol,
• five (5) cal .357 Revolver,
• eight (8) cal .38 Revolver and
• six (6) rifle grenades.

The event was made possible through the joint efforts of the military, police, municipal and brgy officials of Siay, DPAO Chief also said.

“We fully support the national campaign of the military and the government against loose firearms. We want our town to be peaceful and progressive most especially that our constituents entrusted to us the mandate of public service in the recently successful conduct of the Brgy and SK election”, said Mayor Acosta. 

Col Francisco Ariel Felicidario, Commanding Officer of 102nd Infantry Brigade, lauded the collaborative efforts of the troops, police, and the local officials for the successful and diplomatic approach leading to the voluntary turn-over of firearms by the local folks of Siay municipality.

“We expect a continuous turn-over of firearms in ZSP, the same with what is happening in other areas of Western Mindanao”, said Major General Roseller G Murillo, 1ID Commander and concurrent Commander of JTF “ZamPeLan”, as he commended the troops for the job well done.

“Terroristic atrocities and criminal activities in this area is likewise expected to lessen as the Province is known for having the presence of some criminal groups and other lawless elements”, he added.

Turned-over firearms and explosives are now in Municipal Police Station of Siay for safekeeping and proper disposition.