Another 15 loose firearms surrendered to peace caravan in Basilan

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur- (July 17, 2021) - Basilan steps up its peace campaign as all municipalities already pledged support to the Small Arms and Light Weapons Program of the Joint Normalization Committee.

According to Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr., the local government officials of the municipality of Ungkaya Pukan signed the Memorandum of Understanding on the afternoon of July 15, 2021.

Ungkaya Pukan is the 11th and last municipality to pledge support to the SALW program.

Joint Task Force Basilan Commander Brig. Gen. Domingo Gobway, together with Gov. Jim Hataman-Salliman, Basilan Provincial Police Office Deputy Provincial Director for Operations Police Lt. Col. Benjamin Usman, and 18th Infantry Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Egverr Jonathan Abutin, facilitated the signing of MOU which was held at the Lucero Hall of the 18IB in Tipo-Tipo.

“We were mandated to closely coordinate and cooperate with our partners and stakeholders as we implement the SALW program here in Basilan,” said Brig. Gen. Gobway.

He also warned the public that those who disobey the lawful orders under the program will face the consequences of hoarding loose firearms.

Gov. Salliman said the JNC launched the program to encourage the former members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and other civilians to surrender their firearms to eradicate the proliferation of loose firearms.

“In the full implementation of the SALW program, there will be no considerations to people who do not want to follow the program,” said Gov. Salliman.

He further stated that the SALW program is one of the keys to a peaceful community.

Among those who vowed to support the SALW program are the elected municipal and barangay officials of Ungkaya Pukan led by Mayor Lutfurrahman Maturan.

In his message, Mayor Maturan said there are many ways to achieve peace and one is through the surrender of loose firearms. He also commended the PNP and AFP whom he considered as the best partners in achieving and maintaining peace in the municipality.

During the activity, Lt. Col. Abutin together with Mayor Maturan presented 15 loose firearms which include nine shotguns, one 6.5mm Arisaka type 44 Carbine, one M1 Carbine, one M1 Garand rifle, one cal. 22 rimfire bold action, one M16A1 rifle, and one M 203 with 40mm detached.

These are firearms surrendered by civilians from the different barangays of Ungkaya Pukan.

“Joint Task Force Basilan gained a total of 170 firearms since January 2021. This laudable accomplishment is worthy of praise and accolade,” said Lt. Gen. Vinluan, Jr.

“With the implementation of the SALW program as the new strategy to win peace in Basilan, we are expecting for more firearms to be handed over to the government forces,” the commander added. (By JONG CADION with reports and photos from WestMinCom-PIO)

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