At least nine barangay chairpersons in Talitay, Maguindanao del Norte have turned over loose firearms to the military.
These firearms include two 7.62mm sniper rifles; two 12-gauge shotguns; a caliber .30 Garand rifle; an M79 grenade launcher; an M203 grenade launcher; an RPG launcher; and a 5.56mm Ultimax rifle.
Lt. Col. Jerome Peñalosa, commander of the 2nd Mechanized Battalion, said the move of the barangay officials was in support of the government’s campaign against loose firearms under the Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Management Program.
6th Infantry Division (6ID) and Joint Task Force Central Commander, Major General Antonio Nafarrete, also said the turnover will help in maintaining peace and order, especially that the 2025 midterm election is approaching.
“Ang bawat loose firearm na ating nakuha mula sa pag-iingat ng mga hindi otorisadong mamamayan ay katumbas ng pagsagip ng maraming inosenteng buhay at pag-iwas sa anumang karahasan. Nagpapasalamat din ako sa mga barangay officials, napakalaking tulong ng inyong adbokasiya sa pagpapanatili ng kapayapaan, lalo na ngayong paparating na eleksyon,” Nafarrete said.
Meanwhile, officials of five barangays in Cotabato City also turned over up to 23 war materials to the Marine Battalion Landing Team- (MBLT-5) from September 15 to 30, 2024.
These barangay officials are from Barangay RH-11, Mother Barangay Kalanganan, Barangay Poblacion 5, Poblacion 4, Rosary Heights 12. Concerned citizens from Barangay Bagua 3 and Barangay Tamontaka 4 also handed over loose firearms.
Among the firearms surrendered were three 7.62mm sniper rifle; a grenade launcher; a Carbine caliber .30; three HK416 assault rifle; and other short firearms and ammunition.
MBLT-5 Commander, Lt. Col. Lester Mark Baky, said the turnover was also part of the SALW Management Program.
“Malaking tulong ang kooperasyon ng ating mga barangay opisyal dito sa Cotabato City sa paghikayat nila sa mga residente na iturn-over ang kanilang mga loose firearms sa mga awtoridad,” Baky said.