By Jong Cadion
ZAMBOANGA
CITY (February 20, 2018) - With the efforts of the Joint Task Force Central
in the campaign against the proliferation of loose firearms, a total of nine
high-powered firearms (HPFAs) were handed-over to the Joint Task Force around
9am Monday (February 19), military official said.
Western
Mindanao Command (WestMincom) Cpt Jo-Ann D. Petinglay disclosed that the surrendered
firearms were voluntarily turned-over by local officials from different
municipalities, a member of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Task Force
Itihad, and a suspected drug personality in Maguindanao to Lieutenant Colonel
Alvin Iyog of the 2nd Mechanized Battalion. A locally-made caliber 50 sniper
rifle (barret-type) and two US caliber 30 M1 garand rifles which were modified
to caliber 7.62 M14 rifles were surrendered by Damabalas, Datu Piang
Maguindanao Barangay Chairman Quiapo Dalandas. Barangay Madia, Datu Saudi
Ampatuan, Maguindanao Chairman Edris Sindatok also surrendered a US caliber 30
M1 garand which was modified to cal. 7.62 M14 rifle and a US 5.56 colt M16
rifle with magazine. Two others surrendered the following: one US cal. 30 M1
garand; one US cal. 5.56 elisco M16 rifle; a US cal. 5.56 elisco M16A1 rifle;
and one locally-made M203 grenade launcher.
“The
firearms and war materiel are now under the custody of the 2nd Mechanized
Battalion for safekeeping,” said Major General Arnel Dela Vega, commander of
the Joint Task Force Central.
“We will
make sure that these firearms are properly documented.
“Coordinations
are also currently being made with the PNP for the proper legal procedures.”
With the intensified operations launched from January 1 to date, a total of 100
loose firearms (52 in Sulu, 39 in Lanao del Sur, and 9 in Maguindanao) were
recovered by the troops in the Western Mindanao.
“The recent
surrender of nine firearms brings our record to 100 loose firearms surrendered
and documented since January of this year,” said WestMinCom Chief Lieutenant
General Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., Commander of the Western Mindanao Command.
“In line
with the implementation of Martial Law, the Western Mindanao Command maintains
its campaign against loose firearms in its joint areas of operation and
intensifies security operations against all threat groups and terrorists while
also supporting law enforcement operations addressing lawlessnes and illegal
drugs.”
“Again, I
would like to reiterate that your Armed Forces through WestMinCom is serious in
our intent to remove all vehicles of violence in the entire region, no matter
what it takes,” he adds.
“They just
have to choose whether to turn-over their war materiel the easy way or the hard
way,” LtGen Galvez stressed.
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