20 high-powered firearms handed over to soldiers in Maguindanao

By Jong Cadion

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (March 15, 2018) - Another 20 loose firearms were formally turned over to the 40th Infantry Battalion and the 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion by the LGU of Sultan Sa Barongis, Maguindanao at their municipal gym, Wednesday (March 14), military official said.

Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) Cpt Jo-Ann D. Petinglay disclosed that the ceremonial turnover was spearheaded by Mayor Ramdatu M. Angas of Sultan Sa Barongis in the presence of Brigadier General Bismarck D. Soliba, Commander of the 1st Mechanize Infantry Brigade; Brigadier General Diosdado C. Carreon, Commander of the 601st Infantry Brigade; and Police Senior Superintendent Agustin Tello, Police Director Maguindanao. Yielded were two M14 rifles, four Garand rifles, a Carbine, two Barrets, two M79, four Rocket-Propelled Grenades, a Springfield, a homemade Grenade Launcher, an M203 Grenade Launcher, and two Submachine guns.

“With the positive result of our campaign, we are confident that more local officials and the people of Mindanao will heed to the call of the government to end the proliferation of loose firearms in Mindanao. We are glad that we are receiving such positive response from our local government units and other sectors,” said Lieutenant General Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., Commander of the Western Mindanao Command.

“This will pave the way for the cessation of hostilities and bring forth development in Mindanao,” he added.

Cpt Petinglay stresses that from January 1 to March 15, 2018, the Joint Task Force Central recovered a total of 179 loose firearms. This brings to 678 the total number of loose firearms recovered or surrendered to the Joint Task Forces under the Western Mindanao Command. Military troops recovered 30 loose firearms in ZamPeLan, 221 in Zamboanga City, and 248 in Sulu.

Brigadier General Carreon and Brigadier General Soliba, both expressed their appreciation to the people of Sultan Sa Barongis for their genuine gesture in giving up their firearms.

“This endeavor was made possible through the collaboration of the brigades and the local chief executives in the province of Maguindanao in support to the campaign against loose firearms,” said Major General Arnel Dela Vega.