DWDD: BALIK BARIL PROGRAM | 150 unlicensed guns surrendered in Matalam town

From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Jun 22): BALIK BARIL PROGRAM  |  150 unlicensed guns surrendered in Matalam town

CAMP GONZALO SIONGCO, Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao (DWDD) – A total of 150 unlicensed guns was surrendered by Local government officials of Matalam town of North Cotabato province yesterday afternoon, June 20, 2018.

 

The surrendered firearms were turned over in a ceremony at the town’s municipal gymnasium led by Matalam Mayor Cheryl V. Catamco, which were presented to North Cotabato Governor Emmylou “Lala” Taliño-Mendoza and 6th Infantry Division Commander Brig. Gen. Cirilito E. Sobejana,
Also in attendance were 602nd Brigade Commander Col. Alfredo V Rosario Jr, 603rd Brigade Commander Brigadier General Jesus Sarsagat, Police Director Police Senior Supt. Maximo Layugan, Bangsamoro Council of Elders, and Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Moro National Liberation Front leaders.

 

The firearms surrendered included the following: 67 homemade 12-gauge shotgun, 28 Garrand rifles, 10 carbines, 6 M79 rifles, 16 Springfield rifles, 5 Barret rifles, 3 M14 rifle, 1 Colt rifle, 1 automatic rifle, 3 caliber 38 pistols, 1 caliber 357 pistol, 1 pistol, 1 mortar, 3 sub-machine gun, and two 12-gauge pistol.

These firearms were collected from the 34 barangays of the town through the government’s Balik-Baril Program with the efforts of 7th Infantry Battalion under 602nd Infantry Brigade.

“I would like to commend the support and effort of the stakeholders involved for making this activity successful. We have just taken one big stride towards a peaceful community thru eradication of loose firearms,” Sobejana said.

“The disarmament program of the government will continue until loose firearms are totally eradicated in the community, the Commander added. The local government of Matalam was the third municipality in the Province of North Cotabato which participated in the firearms reduction program of the government. The municipalities of Carmen and Midsayap have surrendered loose firearms last April 19 and April 26, respectively, of this year.” 6DPAO / MCAG

http://dwdd.com.ph/2018/06/22/balik-baril-program-150-unlicensed-guns-surrendered-in-matalam-town/