Peace advocates work hard to keep Basilan safe and secured

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (May 30, 2021) - Another municipality in Basilan forged pact to support the small arms and light weapons (SALW) program in Basilan.

According to Western Mindanao Command Chief Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr., military and police officers together with the local government officials of Tabuan Lasa signed this morning, May 25, an agreement to support the implementation of the SALW program in the said municipality.

The MOU was signed by Joint Task Force Basilan Commander Brig. Gen. Domingo Gobway, PNP Provincial Director Police Col. Rodrigo Maramo, 4th Special Forces Battalion Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Alex Ampati, and Provincial Administrator Manny Muarip at the Basketball Court of Lanawan Island, of the said municipality.

The MOU provides for the reduction and management of small arms and light weapons of individuals and groups doing hostile activities in the communities.

The elected municipal and barangay officials of Tabuan Lasa led by Mayor Brenda Junaid also took part in the signing of MOU.

Brig. Gen. Gobway said this is a good development in the implementation of the program in the province of Basilan.

“Last Friday, same memorandum was signed in the municipality of Hadji Mohammad Ajul. We hope that the other municipalities will also signify their support to the program,” said Brig. Gen. Gobway.

Meanwhile, the activity today was highlighted by the presentation of seven assorted loose firearms to Brig. Gen. Gobway and Gov. Hataman by 1st Lt. Alvin Balangcod, the Commanding Officer of the 14th Special Forces Company.

“These loose firearms were voluntarily surrendered by civilians from the different barangays of Tabuan Lasa,” said 1st Lt. Balangcod.

Since January 2021 to date, a total of 52 loose firearms were handed over to JTF Basilan, 22 of which are recovered through rido settlement, and 30 are surrendered by the civilians.

“To end terrorism, we must address its root causes which include the proliferation of loose firearms. I am happy that JTF Basilan is achieving a greater height in the campaign against loose firearms through the SALW program in their area of operation,” Lt. Gen. Vinluan, Jr. stated.(By JONG CADION with report and photos from WestMinCom-PIO)]

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