TALITAY, Maguindanao – The acting mayor here, previously charged with illegal possession of firearms but already dismissed, led the surrender of loose firearms to the military in support to the national government’s disarmament campaign .
Mayor Abdulwahab Sabal, elected vice mayor and assumed as acting mayor when his elder brother, Montasir Sabal, went into hiding, turned over to the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (6ID) a total of 25 unlicensed firearms collected from civilians in ceremonies held Sunday.
Sabal handed the firearms to Brig. Gen. Cirilo Donato, 6ID assistant division commander, and to Lt. Colonel Crisaldo Fernandez, 90th Infantry Battalion chief, as a gesture of support to President Rodrigo Duterte’s “Balik Baril” program.
The firearms included two M76 grenade launchers, an M16 rifle, a FAL rifle, two .45-caliber pistols, and five .38-caliber revolvers, among others.
“We are in support of this program because we shun violence and extremism. We also support other government’s programs in order to get rid of illegal drugs and terrorism,” Sabal said.
The acting mayor was arrested last year for gun possession at Awang airport in Datu Odin Sinsuat in Maguindanao. The case against him was dismissed.
His elder brother, Montasir, went into hiding after President Duterte named him as among the narco-politicians of Maguindanao. He denied the charges.
Fernandez said three issues are affecting the peace and order situation in Talitay-- the proliferation of unlicensed guns and illegal drugs and the upcoming village polls.
Fernandez appealed to other gun owners to surrender their firearms since the government will really go after them as stated in Martial Law Order No. 1.
For his part, Donato believes there are still a lot of loose firearms out there and they must be surrendered.
“I have observed that there is big concern in terms of our security, due to a large number of private armed groups and of course the proliferation of loose firearms,” he said.
“This Balik Baril program is only one of the many steps that we have to take to have a peaceful Talitay,” he added.
One of those who surrendered loose firearms was Zamar Ongkikay, a resident of Barangay Mangay, who lauded the program.
“This is a good program that will reduce the number of lawless elements for it will also diminish the bringing of arms around this town,” he said.
In Northern Kabuntalan, 22 unlicensed guns were handed over by Mayor Bai Mary Jane Bayam to Lt. Colonel Angelo Lutera, commander of the 34th Infantry Battalion during simple ceremonies held Saturday.
The firearms included four M-14 rifles, one M-16 rifle, four locally made 50 cal Barrett sniper rifles, two Garand rifles, one M203 launcher, four improvised M79 launcher, one Thompson submachine gun and ammunition.
Maj. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, 6th ID commander, reminded the residents under his area of jurisdiction that only the military and the police are legal and legitimate gun holders.
“Your police and military are the only ones who are allowed to carry armaments as mandated to keep the peace in Central Mindanao. Your involvement to attain a long and lasting peace is by laying down your arms and follows the rule of law," dela Vega said.
As of the latest count, a total of 664 firearms were recovered and surrendered to the 6ID.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1032842
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