February 28, 2025 | Headquarters 601st Infantry (UNIFIER) Brigade, 6ID, PA, Brgy. Kamasi, Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur – A total of 24 assorted firearms were presented during the Joint Municipal Peace and Order Council (MPOC) meeting of the municipalities of Talayan, Guindulungan, and Datu Anggal Midtimbang in Maguindanao del Sur.
The said municipalities reaffirmed their commitment to the government’s Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) program by turning over the loose firearms in the presence of Colonel Edgar L. Catu, Commander of the 601st Brigade.
Among the key officials present were Honorable Nathaniel S. Midtimbang, Vice Governor of Maguindanao del Sur; Honorable Datu Tungkang Midtimbang, Mayor of Talayan; Honorable Mary Joey Stephanie Uy-Midtimbang, Mayor of Datu Anggal Midtimbang; and Honorable Datu Mibpantao Midtimbang Jr., Mayor of Guindulungan. They were joined by Datu Ali S. Midtimbang, Datu of Talayan, municipal council members, barangay chairpersons, and representatives from various government agencies.
The local leaders expressed their continued support for strengthening security measures to ensure peace and development in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) were also actively involved in the event. Attendees included Lieutenant Colonel Robert F. Betita, Commanding Officer of the 1st Mechanized Infantry (LAKAN) Battalion; Police Major Zukarnain O. Kunakon, Chief of Police of Datu Anggal Midtimbang; Police Major Michael L. Amiril, Chief of Police of Guindulungan; Police Lieutenant Patrick M. Dangalao, Chief of Police of Talayan; and a representative from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) – BARMM.
In his message, Colonel Catu emphasized the importance of collective action in curbing violence. “The turnover of loose firearms is a significant step in eliminating violent activities that disrupt the peaceful lives of our citizens. Let us sustain peace in our place and ensure safe and peaceful elections in 2025. Our goal is to stop violence from occurring so that people can freely exercise their right to vote.”
Meanwhile, Brigadier General Donald M. Gumiran, Commander of the 6th Infantry Division (6ID) and Joint Task Force Central (JTFC), expressed his gratitude to the local leaders and residents of Talayan, Guindulungan, and Datu Anggal Midtimbang for their cooperation with the military and police in maintaining peace and order.
“I commend the collaborative efforts of our troops from the 601st Infantry (UNIFIER) Brigade and the 1st Mechanized Infantry (LAKAN) Battalion, along with the local governments of Talayan, Guindulungan, and Datu Anggal Midtimbang, in supporting the government’s Balik Baril program and the SALW Management Program,” said BGen. Gumiran.
The turnover of loose firearms is part of ongoing efforts to sustain peace and security in the region, fostering a safer environment for its communities and ensuring a violence-free election in 2025.
