24 firearms surrendered in Lanao

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Residents have surrendered 24 loose firearms to the military following an intensified campaign against illegal firearms in Lanao provinces, officials said yesterday.

The military said the local government units convinced the residents to surrender their unlicensed firearms.

Residents of Magsaysay town in Lanao del Norte surrendered 20 loose firearms before the weekend, according to Lt. Col. Rolando Orengo, chief of the Army’s 55th Mechanized Battalion.

The firearms included eight rifles, a grenade launcher and 10 assorted handguns.

Magsaysay Mayor Haron Omar Sr. thanked the military for its campaign against loose firearms.

These firearms are often used in clan wars, Orengo said.

Meanwhile, four firearms, including a super .50 caliber rifle, were surrendered to the 49th Infantry Battalion (IB) in Butig, Lanao del Sur, according to Lt. Col. Edgar Allan Villanueva, chief of the 49th IB.

The firearms included a Barret rifle, a grenade launcher and two handguns as well as ammunition.

Villanueva cited the collaboration between police and the local government in implementing the campaign against loose firearms in Butig, which was formerly occupied by Maute terrorists.  

The military expressed belief there are still hundreds of loose firearms being kept by the civilians.