Peace campaign brings 26 more loose firearms in Basilan

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (June 10, 2021) - Twenty-six more loose firearms were yielded by local chief executives as a result of a continuing peace campaign by the local officials, police, and military in Basilan.

According to Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr., Commander, Western Mindanao Command, the local chief executives and other local government officials of the municipalities of Tipo-Tipo and Maluso in Basilan extended their support to the Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) program and subsequently handed over loose firearms to the military.

Mayor Arcam Istarul together with all the elected municipal and barangay officials of Tipo-Tipo signed the Memorandum of Understanding on SALW at the Covered Court in Barangay Tipo-Tipo Proper on June 7, 2021.

This was witnessed by Joint Task Force Basilan Commander Brig. Gen. Domingo Gobway, Basilan Governor Jim Hataman-Salliman, Police

Provincial Director P/Col. Rodrigo Maramo, and 18th Infantry Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Egverr Jonathan Abutin.

After the signing of MOU, Mayor Istarul presented seven loose firearms that were voluntarily surrendered by civilians from the different barangays of the municipality.

Said firearms include four cal. 30 M1 Garand rifles, one cal. 30 M2 Carbine, one improvised Shotgun, and one FN-FAL G1 rifle.

Meanwhile, Mayor Hanie Bud together with all the elected municipal and barangay officials of the Municipality of Maluso also signed the

Memorandum of Understanding on Small Arms and Light Weapons Program on June 8, 2021.

Said activity was held at Mujiv Hall, Maluso Town Hall, Maluso and was witnessed by Brig. Gen. Gobway, P/Col. Maramo, Provincial Administrator Manny Muarip, 4th Special Forces Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Alex Ampati, and 68th Infantry Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Napoleon Pabon, Jr.

Mayor Bud presented a total of 19 loose firearms that were voluntarily surrendered by the barangay officials of the municipality.

Presented firearms include five cal. 30 M1 Garand rifles, eight cal. 45 pistols, one cal. 9mm KG9, two Shotguns, one cal. 38 pistol, and two M79 Grenade Launchers.

“We are grateful for the overwhelming support of the local chief executives and other officials to the implementation of Small Arms and Light Weapons Program here in Basilan,” said Brig. Gen. Gobway.

“Of the 11 municipalities and two component cities of Basilan, seven have already pledged their support and we hope the others will follow soon,” Brig. Gen. Gobway added.

SALW program has brought substantial gains in the Campaign against Loose Firearms of the government. Since January 2021, JTF Basilan received a total of 94 loose firearms either handed over by the civilians during rido settlement or by the local government officials during ceremonial turnovers.

“Our harmonious relationships with fellow peace-builders have gone a long way. I hope this will continue until the common goal is attained,” said Lt. Gen. Vinluan, Jr.

“Rest assured that the military will continue to employ the whole-of-nation approach in addressing terrorism and lawlessness here in Mindanao,” the commander further stated.(By JONG CADION with report and photos from WestMinCom-PIO)

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