By Jong Cadion
PAGADIAN
CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (February 28, 2018) – Residents of the
municipalities of Buldon, Parang, Matanaog and Barira in Maguindanao
surrendered a total of 88 high and low powered loose firearms this Tuesday morning
(February 27) in a turnover ceremony held in Barangay Dinganen, Buldon in the
nearby province of Maguindanao, military official said.
Western Mindanao
Command (WestMinCom) Cpt Jo-Ann D. Petinglay said that the surrender of
firearms is part of the “Balik Baril” Program of the Local Government Unit of
Buldon, Maguindanao through the “Iranun” Inter-Agency Task Force (IIATF) in
partnership with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the
Philippines (AFP) in support to the campaign against loose firearms. The
intensified campaign prompted the residents of the 4 municipalities to
voluntarily surrender their firearms and eventually will receive a livelihood
program under the local government of Buldon and the Regional Government of
ARMM. The activity was attended by the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
Governor Mujiv S. Hataman, Mayor Abolais A. Manalao of Buldon, Mayor
Abdulradzak D. Tomawis of Barira, Mayor Ibrahim P. Ibay of Parang all of
Maguindanao and PNP-Maguindanao Director PSSupt Agustin J. Tello.
During the
ceremony, Regional Governor Hataman expressed his commitment and support to the
security sector in the attainment of a lasting peace in Central Mindanao. He
also said that he wants to make sure the delivery of basic services in the
region to prevent others to involve themselves in any criminalities and illegal
activities.
Major
General Arnel Delavega, Commander, Joint Task Force Central commended the
“Iranun” Inter-Agency Task Force (IIATF) under the supervision of 37th Infantry
Battalion led by Lieutenant Colone Florencio Politud, for their recent
accomplishment to stop the proliferation of loose firearms. The 6ID commander
also lauded the efforts of the local government units for their cooperation and
support to the AFP and PNP.
It can be
recalled that 147 high powered firearms were surrendered from the
municipalities of Kapatagan, Balabagan, Malabang, Picong and Marogong of Lanao
del Sur last November 2017 through the efforts of Ranao-Ragat Inter-Agency Task
Force under the supervision of 6th Infantry Battalion. The campaign of the
government against loose firearms seeks to stop the clan war or rido cases,
disarm the armed groups, and prevent terrorism particularly in the provinces of
Maguindanao and Lanaodel Sur, Cpt Petinglay added.
From
January 1 to February 27, 2018, the Joint Task Forces recovered a total of 373
loose firearms, 192 of which were surrendered in Zamboanga, 52 in Sulu, 30 in
ZamPeLan, and 99 in Central.
“We are
making substantial accomplishments in our heightened operations to recover
loose firearms in our bid to demilitarize armed groups and support the
presidential campaign for security and development in Mindanao. Notwithstanding
this operational success, our forces will sustain its offensives against threat
groups and will continue to employ a diplomatic approach in calling for the
involvement of local officials and other partners for peace,” said Lieutenant General
Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., Commander of the Western Mindanao Command.
“Again, my
congratulations to our Joint Task Forces for the continuing vigor to recover
all vehicles of violence all over the region,” Commander WestMinCom adds.
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