DATU PIANG, Maguindanao—More town mayors in Maguindanao are coming out with loose guns collected from residents and have turned them over to the military.
The latest town executive to respond to military’s campaign against loose firearms was Mayor Genuine Kamaong of Datu Piang, which is one of the most conflict-affected areas in the province.
“This is our support to President Duterte’s dream of a gunless Maguindanao,” Kamaong told reporters and military personnel during turnover rites over the weekend at the town’s covered court.
Kamaong turned over 16 assorted firearms to Lt. Colonel Alvin Iyog, chief of the Army’s 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion and later to Brig. Gen. Diosdado Carreon, Army’s 601st Brigade commander.
The surrendered firearms comprised of four locally-made Barrett .50 caliber sniper rifles, four 9mm pistols, one M14 rifle, two Hydramax M16 rifle, three homemade M79 launchers, a shotgun, and two Garand rifles.
Maj. Gen. Arnel B. Dela Vega, Army’s 6th Infantry Division commander, expressed his gratitude to the efforts of Datu Piang officials for extending their support to the AFP in its campaign against loose firearms.
A total of 338 firearms were surrendered in Maguindanao since January this year.
Lt. Colonel Gerry Besana, head of the 6ID civil-military operations unit, said more guns are expected to be turned over by the local officials since they are well-informed of Martial Law Order No. 1 for them to help in the disarmament drive.