88 firearms surrendered by Iranuns in Maguindanao

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.