TURNOVER. North Cotabato Governor Emmylou Taliño–Mendoza checks one of the 102 loose firearms turned over on Thursday (April 19) by civilians in Carmen, North Cotabato. Looking on is Office of the Presidential Assistant on the Peace Process Secretary Jesus Dureza (in blue shirt). (Photo by 6ID – CMO)
CARMEN, North Cotabato -- Officials of this town have set the tone for local government executives to support the government’s campaign against unlicensed firearms in the hands of civilians.
A total of 102 assorted high-powered firearms were turned over by local officials, led by Carmen town Mayor Roger Taliño, to the military and witnessed by Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Jesus Dureza and North Cotabato Governor Emmylou Taliño–Mendoza at the town’s gymnasium on Thursday morning.
“Gone are the days when Carmen was known as a war zone,” the mayor said. “Admittedly, we have kept these firearms as our self-defense because we believe that the first line of defense is the people in the barangay. We were attacked by lawless elements not only once but many times.”
“Today, we give space for peace. This is to show the government that we are peace-loving and law-abiding citizens,” Taliño said, adding it was “our gesture to support our beloved President Rodrigo Duterte on the Balik Baril program.”
Mendoza said she was elated that Carmen, whose mayor is her father, is the first out of 17 municipalities of the province to respond to the disarmament campaign.
“I am thankful that out of the 17 municipalities in North Cotabato, Carmen, where I came from, is the first one to lead as a role model. We are really serious because for the longest time we were bombarded by atrocities. We have so many evacuees; we have so many casualties," the governor said.
“Today is a manifestation of our commitment to peace. Our prayer that the Moro, Christian and Lumad in the entire province of Cotabato will peacefully co-exist,” she added.
For his part, Dureza said the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law, seen to foster comprehensive peace and co-existence in Mindanao, is now in Congress and expected for its passage into law soon.
“I urge everyone for patience as peace is not magic. There is a process and we must unite to achieve it,” he said.
The firearms were received by Major Gen. Arnel dela Vega, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, and other police and military officials as witnesses.
Chief Insp. Julius Malcontento, Carmen Police chief, said the firearms were collected jointly by the local government, led by Mayor Taliño with the local police and the Army's 7th Infantry Battalion, from the town’s 28 villages.
The loose firearms included eight Caliber 50 Barrett sniper rifles, an M16 rifle, 12 M14 rifles, 31 Grand rifles, seven Carbine rifles, 22 grenade launchers, and five 60-mm. mortars.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1032620
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