19 loose firearms surrendered in Lanao

LANAO DEL NORTE, Philippines — Barangay officials in the town of Munai in this province recently surrendered 19 high-powered firearms and ammunition to the military.

The firearms were received by troopers of the 4th Mechanized Infantry Battalion led by Lt. Col. Bernardo Taqueban in a ceremony held on Friday at the municipal hall.

The turnover was witnessed by Minister Abdullah Macapaar of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), Mayor Racma Dansal Andamama and Secretary  Carlito Galvez of the Office of the Presidential Assistant on the Peace Process (OPAPP),  according to Col. Facundo Palafox, commander of the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade.

Among those surrendered were a .50- caliber Barrett, an M14 sniper rifle, 11 M16 assault rifles, two carbines and four M1 Garands.

“Everyone must focus on maintaining peace and order to attain progress in BARMM and in communities outside the region such as Munai and the five other towns in Lanao del Norte,” Macapaar said in a speech delivered during the ceremony.

Munai is one of six towns in this province that wanted to join the BARMM.

However, the town lost its bid to be included in the BARMM following a plebiscite held in May, wherein the province voted no.

The turnover was a result of an intensified collaboration among local government units, stakeholders and security forces.

“We encourage not only the local government units but also other stakeholders, especially the people of Lanao del Norte, to trust and support our campaign against loose firearms so we can achieve peace and security,” Palafox said.

Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, chief of the Western Mindanao Command, urged local government units, especially in conflict-torn areas, to advance the military’s peaceful mechanisms geared toward a developed and secure Mindanao.

“We hope to convince more local officials and the people of Mindanao to actively take part in our campaign against loose firearms and illegal drugs to end violence,” Sobejana said.  – With Michael Punongbayan