AMPATUAN, Maguindanao del Sur — A total of 29 loose firearms were voluntarily surrendered by residents from different municipalities of Maguindanao del Sur as part of the Balik-Baril and Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Management Program, the Philippine Army reported.
The firearms were formally turned over to Brigadier General Edgar L. Catu, Commander of the 601st Infantry (Unifier) Brigade, during a ceremony held at the headquarters of the 90th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Kamasi.
According to the Army, the initiative aims to curb the proliferation of illegal firearms and strengthen community cooperation in promoting lasting peace in the province.
The turnover event was attended by representatives from local and national government agencies, including Ms. Sittie Sahara Kasan of OPAPRU, Datu Jomar Midtimbang, Chief of Staff of Maguindanao del Sur; Mayor Datu Bassir D. Utto of Datu Saudi Ampatuan; Hon. Datu Haris Ampatuan of Datu Hoffer; Hon. Comeni S. Ampatuan of Shariff Aguak; and police officials PCPT Argie A. Eyana, PCPT Beatriz Taeza, and PLT Patrick Dangalaw.
Brig. Gen. Catu praised the communities for their cooperation, noting that the gesture reflects their sincere desire for long-term stability.
“Ang pagsuko ng mga armas ay isang malaking hakbang tungo sa mas ligtas at maunlad na Maguindanao del Sur. Ang kapayapaan ay responsibilidad nating lahat, at ang inyong kooperasyon ay mahalagang bahagi ng pagbabago,” he said.
For his part, Major General Jose Vladimir R. Cagara, Commander of the 6th Infantry (Kampilan) Division and Joint Task Force Central, renewed his call for remaining firearm holders to surrender their weapons and support government peace programs.
“Hindi lamang ito tungkol sa pagsuko ng armas, kundi sa pagpapatatag ng tiwala sa pagitan ng pamahalaan at mamamayan. Hinihikayat ko ang natitira pang may hawak ng iligal na armas na makiisa sa mga programa ng pamahalaan para sa kapayapaan at kaunlaran,” he said.
The Army said the program will continue across the province as part of broader efforts to maintain peace and security in Maguindanao del Sur.