Maguindanao del Norte residents surrender unlicensed guns to Army

COTABATO CITY — Residents in Talitay, Maguindanao del Norte voluntarily surrendered 11 high-powered firearms to the Army’s 601st Infantry Brigade.

The weapons were collected by village officials of the town, in keeping with the government’s effort to siphon off loose firearms.

These were turned over on Saturday, Oct. 3, facilitated by the 1st Mechanized Battalion, led by Lt. Col. William G. Sabado, and the Talitay local government, headed by Mayor Sidik S. Amiril.

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“This is part of our continuing efforts, in partnership with local officials, to reduce the presence of loose firearms and maintain peace and security in Talitay,” said Brig. Gen. Gremel B. Brual, commander of the 601st Infantry Brigade.

He thanked the village officials of Talitay and other local stakeholders for their support to government efforts to reduce violence and promote peace and security.

Brual said the voluntary surrender of firearms demonstrated the importance of collective action between government agencies and communities in building safe, peaceful and orderly communities.

The brigade commander said it would continue to strengthen coordination with local governments, barangays and other sectors in support of initiatives promoting long-term peace, security and stability within its area of responsibility.

The campaign against loose firearms in Central Mindanao is rolled out alongside the decommissioning of Moro rebels and their weapons, in keeping with a 2014 peace deal. INQ