By Jong Cadion
ZAMBOANGA
CITY (February 22, 2018) - Officials turned-over 157
loose firearms to the Western Mindanao Command in this city, Wednesday
(February 21), military official said.
Western
Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) Cpt Jo-Ann D. Petinglay disclosed that the
surrendered firearms were presented by Zamboanga City Mayor Ma. Isabelle
Climaco-Salazar to Lieutenant General Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. in a ceremonial
turn-over ceremony held in Camp Navarro, Calarian, this city at 2:30pm
Wednesday (February 21).
“Barangay
officials from Arena Blanco, Tigtabon, Mercedes, and Cabaluay yielded the said
firearms to military and police units as an offshoot of the sustained campaign
against the proliferation of unregistered and loose firearms,” said Colonel
Leonel Nicolas, Commander of the Task Force Zamboanga.
Cpt.
Petinglay said turned over were 29 FAs composed of 16 Caliber 30 M1 Garand
rifles through 11th Infantry Battalion, eight M1 Garand rifles through the
Marine Battalion Landing Team-11, four M1 Garand rifles and a 66mm HE Rocket
Launcher through the JTF Zamboanga. The Zamboanga City Police Office also
presented to the WestMinCom chief 128 loose firearms, consisting of 92
shotguns, an M16 rifle, fifteen 9mm pistols, eight Caliber Revolvers, eleven
Caliber .45 pistols, and a Caliber .22 pistol.
“The
Philippine National Police has recorded a total of 29,480 loose firearms as of
this moment, but because of the implementation of Republic Act No. 10591, there
are only 25,245 firearms left,” said Police Senior Superintendent
NarcisoVerdadero, deputy for operations of the Police Regional Office 9,
representing Police Chief Superintendent Billy Beltran, Regional Director of
the Police Regional Office 9.
“We believe that these loose firearms were
used in different forms.”
The Mayor
of Zamboanga City, Mayor Isabelle Climaco-Salazar said in her message,”We are
just here to show our commitment and support to the Armed Forces of the
Philippines. This turnover only showcases the success of the cooperation
between the military and police.”
“On behalf
of our barangay officials, I want to extend my gratitude to Lieutenant General
Galvez, Jr. for ensuring the security of Zamboanga City.
In his
reply, Lieutenant General Carlito G Galvez, Jr., Commander, Western Mindanao
Command said, “The Western Mindanao Command extends its sincerest gratitude and
compliments to the local officials present here today, headed by hon. Ma.
Isabelle Climaco-Salazar, for putting their trust in the armed forces as the
WestMinCom takes strides to neutralize loose firearms and disarm armed groups
in ZamBaSulTa area,” he added.
Cpt.
Petinglay further said that the activity brings to 257 the total number of
loose firearms recovered by the Joint Task Forces in the joint area of
operations from January 1 to February 21, 2018. Of the 257 firearms recovered
this year, fifty-two were surrendered by municipal and barangay officials in
Sulu; thirty were surrendered by former warring clans after Rido settlements in
Marawi City; nine were recovered by the troops following a law enforcement
support operation in Lanao del Sur; nine were surrendered by local officials in
Maguindanao; and 157 were turned over today in Zamboanga City.
In line
with the pronouncement of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, the campaign against
loose firearms was launched by the Joint Task Forces to implement the Security,
Governance and Development Strategies of Martial Law in Mindanao.
“We would
like to urge other officials and residents to do the same in order to free
communities from these vehicles of violence.”
“If
Zamboanga City can do their share of commitment to a peaceful community, I am
also sure the others in ZamBaSulTa can also do the same,” added LtGen Galvez.
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