Pikit, North Cotabato – Seventeen (17) high-powered firearms were voluntarily surrendered by residents from several municipalities in the Special Geographic Areas of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and North Cotabato. The turnover took place on Tuesday, March 4, at the headquarters of the 40th Infantry Battalion in Pikit, North Cotabato.
Lieutenant Colonel Erwin Jay Dumaghan, commanding officer of the 40th Infantry Battalion, presented the surrendered firearms, which included one Rifle 5.56mm ULTIMAX, two Rifle 5.56mm M16, four 7.62mm M14 rifles, three Cal.30 M1 Garand rifles, one carbine rifle, three RLLs, one 9mm Uzi, and two Caliber 45 pistols, along with corresponding ammunition and magazines.
The firearms came from the municipalities of Carmen, Kapalawan, Matalam, Pikit, and Tugunan. Residents voluntarily turned over their weapons following the persuasion efforts of their respective local chief executives.
The turnover ceremony was personally witnessed by 602nd Infantry Brigade Commander Colonel Ricky Bunayog, Mr. Omar Bayao representing the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH), and other officials from the Philippine National Police (PNP).
This initiative is part of the government’s Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) program, which aims to reduce the number of loose firearms in communities. The presence of unregulated weapons has been identified as a major factor contributing to violence and crime in various areas.
Authorities emphasized that the surrender of firearms will contribute to peace-building efforts and security in the region, urging more residents to support the government’s disarmament initiatives.
