Maguindanao Sur village execs surrender 18 firearms, explosives

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 23, 2023): Maguindanao Sur village execs surrender 18 firearms, explosives (By Edwin Fernandez)

BIG GUNS. Local officials of Pagalungan, Maguindanao del Sur, handed over loose firearms on Tuesday (Aug. 22, 2023) to help the government in administering a peaceful and orderly Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections in October. The guns were from barangay officials and civilians unauthorized to possess firearms. (Photo courtesy of Pagalungan LGU)

COTABATO CITY – To help make the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) in October peaceful, village officials in Pagalungan town, Maguindanao del Sur province voluntarily surrendered firearms and explosives to authorities on Tuesday.

A total of 18 high-powered firearms and explosives were handed over by village chairmen to Pagalungan Mayor Salik Mamasabulod who in turn gave the war materiel to Maguindanao del Sur provincial police director Colonel Roel Sermese and Army’s 602nd Infantry Brigade deputy commander Colonel Neil Roldan.

This is the fourth time this year that Pagalungan local officials turned in loose firearms to the government in support of the Balik Baril program.

Mamasabulod said the officials agreed to gather unlicensed guns in the hands of unauthorized persons to help make the forthcoming BSKE in their area peaceful and violence-free.

Likewise, Pagalungan Vice Mayor Abdilla Mamasabulod said the village officials are all supporting the calls by the national government to surrender unlicensed guns.

The surrendered firearms included a 60 mm mortar tube, mortar explosives, homemade Barrett sniper rifles, M14 and M16 rifles, and ammunition.

The mayor said he expects more unlicensed guns to find their way toward the custody of proper government agencies in the coming weeks.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1208356