8 more firearms turned over to the military in Tawi-Tawi

PAGADIAN CITY (Feb, 13, 2021) - Eight firearms were turned over to the marine troops in Sitangkai, Tawi-Tawi on Monday February 8, 2021.

“The untiring support of the local chief executives in our campaign against the proliferation of loose firearms continues to yield positive results,” said Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr., Commander of the Western Mindanao Command.

Through the collective efforts of the 312th Marine Company, Marine Battalion Landing Team 12, the intel operatives, and the local government officials of Sitangkai, eight firearms including two cal. 45 pistols, one M1 cal. 30 Carbine rifle, three M1 Garand rifles, one FN Garand rifle, and one 9mm revolver were peacefully turned over by the residents of Sipangkot, Sitangkai to the barangay officials.

The local officials, on the other hand, turned over the firearms to Sitangkai Mayor Hadji Tiblan Ahaja and who subsequently handed those over to MBLT-12 Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Henry Espinosa in a simple ceremony held at Sipangkot Detachment stationed in Barangay Sipangkot.

In his message, Lt. Col. Espinosa said, “This noteworthy and significant event is attributed to the collaboration and cooperation among the security sector, the local government unit, other stakeholders, and the communities.”

“I would also like to attribute this success to Sipangkot Barangay Chairman Arafat Juaini who continuously supports us in all our endeavors,” said Lt. Col. Espinosa.

Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Arturo Rojas, the Commander of the Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi commended the troops of the MBLT-12 for the hard work that contributed to the accomplishment of the unit’s mission.

“Rest assured that we will continue to perform our duties and responsibilities with utmost dedication and service as we continue to work for peace in Tawi-Tawi,” said Brig. Gen. Rojas.

“We will sustain our efforts such as the conduct of focus crowd dialogues to convince the community to submit their unauthorized loose firearms immediately,” Brig. Gen. Rojas added

Since January 1 this year, 13 loose firearms were already turned over to the JTF Tawi-Tawi

“Let us continue to help one another for the common good,” said Lt. Gen. Vinluan, Jr. (By JONG CADION with reports and photos from WestMinCom-PIO)

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