More loose guns seized in ARMM

MANILA, Philippines — More than 100 firearms have been recovered in Sulu and Sultan Kudarat over the weekend.

A total of 132 unlicensed firearms surrendered by residents of Parang, Talipao, Pangutaran and Omar towns in Sulu will be turned over to the  military today, Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana,  Joint Task Force Sulu commander, said.

Sobejana said local government officials facilitated the surrender of the guns.

“The recovery of the loose firearms is part of the mandate of the military under martial law. It is also part of our continuing effort to make Sulu a gun-free society to address the problem of law and order and banditry,” he said.

Sobejana said 271 firearms were also recovered in areas under the jurisdiction of the Western Mindanao Command last January. 

In Sultan Kudarat, the barangay captains of Namat, Kisek, Kidayan, Maganao, Malatunol, Akol, Lebua and Butril in Palimbang town surrendered 29 guns  to the police on Sunday.

Among those recovered from the village chiefs are shotguns and rifles, including M16s, Garand and an M203 with a grenade launcher, Senior Superintendent Raul Supiter of the Sultan Kudarat police said.

Supiter said acting Palimbang vice mayor Amil Pangansayan convinced the owners of the guns to surrender them.

The mayor and vice mayor of Palimbang have remained at large after combined police and military teams found unlicensed firearms during raids on their houses last year. – John Unson