Warring clans surrender 132 firearms to Lanao Sur authorities

From GMA News (Oct 4): Warring clans surrender 132 firearms to Lanao Sur authorities

Feuding groups in Lanao del Sur province have surrendered to the military and local authorities a total of 132 loose firearms, including high-powered ones, under Operation Plan "Reaper" that was launched on July 1, 2017.

“Oplan 'Reaper' was launched by the troops of the 6th Infantry Battalion, in alignment with the Development Support and Security Plan Kapayapaan of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Ranao Ragat Inter-Agency Task Force, to conduct rido settlement among warring families in the province,” said Major General Arnel Dela Vega, commander of the Joint Task Force ZamPeLan.

Dela Vega said that a total of 132 high-powered and other types of firearms have been surrendered by warring families in the coastal municipalities of Kapatagan, Balabagan, Malabang, Picong and Marogong in the province.

Negotiations with feuding families resulted in the surrender of 103 high-powered and 29 other types of firearms.

Of the 132 firearms, 13 were surrendered by the clans in Kapatagan, 30 in Balabagan, 40 in Malabang, 19 in Picong, and 30 in Marogong.

Other materiel, including 18 magazines, seven clips for Garand rifle, and 63 rounds of ammunition have been also turned over to the the military and local authorities .

“Oplan ‘Reaper’ will continue to be implemented as an initiative of the armed forces to assist local government units in keeping the peace and order in the province amid the crisis in Marawi City and the implementation of Martial Law in the whole of Mindanao," said Lieutenant General Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., commander of the Western Mindanao Command (WesMinCom).

Meanwhile, a high-powered firearm, ammunition, and other materiel were seized from Bangsamoro members of the Islamic Freedom Fighters in Maguindanao during a military clearing operation last Monday.

In his report to the WesMinCom, Maj. Gen. Dela Vega, commander of the Joint Task Force Central, said that elements of the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion and the 33rd Infantry Battalion, on combat clearing operation seized an M14 rifle, magazines, 7.62mm live ammo, an ICOM radio, a pistol holster, Comelec and Moro National Liberation Front identification cards, among other items, in Barangay Montay in Datu Piang, Maguindanao.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/regions/628191/warring-clans-surrender-132-firearms-to-lanao-sur-authorities/story/