Military, LGU step up peace campaign in Basilan

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (July 5, 2021) - Local government officials of Sumisip, Basilan expressed support for the small arms and light weapons (SALW) program of the government on June 30, 2021. 

Lt Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr. said the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was spearheaded by Joint Task Force Basilan Commander Domingo Gobway, Basilan Gov. Jim Hataman Salliman, and Ministry of the Interior and Local Government Officer-in-Charge Ra-Diyah Akmad.

In her speech, Ms. Akmad capitalized on the steadfast commitment of the LGUs of Basilan to adhere to the programs of the national government concerning peace and order initiatives wherein improving the quality of life of every citizen in the community has been the top priority of the provincial and municipal government units.

The signing of MOU on small arms and light weapons was held at the Municipal Hall in Barangay Buli-Buli, Sumisip, Basilan and was participated in by the elected municipal and barangay officials of the said municipality led by Mayor Jul-Adnan Hataman. 

Gov. Hataman-Salliman emphasized in his speech that the SALW program which is a national government initiative in line with the peace process between the government and the MILF is not a recommendation from him to harass other politicians in the province.

He also pointed out that the leaders of the barangays in Sumisip must lean away from hoarding loose firearms and from starting rido(s) in their area. They must instead focus on spending all their resources in helping their children finish their studies so they can become professionals and be their financial providers in the future.

During the activity, Maj. Renato Valencia, Jr., Executive Officer of 64th Infantry Battalion together with Mayor Hataman presented 34 loose firearms previously handed over by the residents of Sumisip. Said firearms include one M60 Light Machine Gun, one Browning Automatic rifle, one M653 rifle, one M14 rifle, three M16 rifles, two M1 Carbine rifles, 18 M1 Garand rifles, and seven 12-Gauge Shotguns.

Brig. Gen. Gobway encouraged the municipal and barangay officials to register all their firearms that may be used for their Barangay Defense System. He also warned them about the consequences of keeping unregistered firearms in their possession and assured them of the full support of military personnel in their area.

“As we celebrate the continued success of the SALW Program in the province, let us continue to help each other in preventing crimes related to the proliferation of loose firearms in our area until we reach our common goal of sustainable development and lasting peace,” Brig. Gen. Gobway stated.

Since the launching of the SALW program in Basilan, the military recovered a total of 126 loose firearms in the province.

“Congratulations to the troops of the Joint Task Force Basilan led by Brig. Gen. Gobway and the local government of Basilan for the successful implementation of the SALW program in the province,” said Lt. Gen. Vinluan, Jr.

“Let us continue to work together for the common good,” he added.(By JONG CADION with reports and photos from WestMinCom-PIO)

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