Maguindanao exec to yield more loose guns from civilians

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 11, 2021): Maguindanao exec to yield more loose guns from civilians (By Edwin Fernandez)

SURRENDERED GUNS. The loose firearms turned over on Sunday (Jan. 10, 2021) by local officials and residents of Talitay, Maguindanao in support of the government’s campaign against illegal possession of guns. The town officials vowed to surrender more loose firearms from illegal gun holders in the coming days. (Photo courtesy of 6ID)

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – More guns from civilians would be turned over to the military soon following the surrender of eight assorted high-powered guns over the weekend, Mayor Montasir Sabal of Talitay, Maguindanao said Monday.

Sabal said civilians in his town of about 15,000 have already expressed their desire to support the Army’s disarmament program in the province.

“We already have received words from them, they will voluntarily surrender unlicensed guns,” Sabal said. “This is a good development.”

On Sunday, the mayor led the turnover of guns to the Army’s 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion as part of the town’s contributions to the government.

Illegal gun possession in Talitay was among the reasons for violence and criminalities in the town.

Lt. Colonel Omar Orozco, 2nd Mechanized IB commander, lauded Talitay local officials for the support and urged them to gather more loose firearms to help bring about peace in the troubled town.

Among the surrendered firearms were two .50-caliber sniper rifle, an M16 rifle, homemade firearms, and ammunition.

Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, Army's 6th Infantry Division commander, urged other local government executives in Maguindanao to continue supporting the campaign against loose firearms in response to President Rodrigo Duterte’s desire for peace in Maguindanao.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1126955