SURRENDERED GUNS. Local chief executives show the 28 firearms yielded by civilians that were turned over to the Army in Maguindanao Tuesday (March 26). (Photo courtesy of 603rd IB)
TALAYAN, Maguindanao -- Officials of four Maguindanao towns on Tuesday handed over a total of 28 guns to the Army’s 603rd Infantry Brigade (603IB), through the 90th Infantry Battalion (90IB), part of the municipality campaign against loose firearms.
In a statement Wednesday, the Army's 6th Infantry Division (6ID) said the turnover of firearms was done simultaneously during the 8th regular meeting of the “Kapamagayon” (Unity) Inter-Agency Task Force (KIATF).
KIATF is an organization of local officials of the municipalities of Kabuntalan, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Datu Anggal Midtimbang, Talayan, Talitay, and Guindulungan, together with the Army’s 603IB and sub-units of the 90IB and 5th Special Forces Battalion as security partners.
KIATF was activated on June 29, 2017 as one of the joint initiatives and advocacies of the 603IB and local chief executives (LCEs).
Prior to the turnover rites, the task force discussed security updates, criminality, and preparations for the upcoming mid-term local and national elections.
Talayan Mayor Datu Tungkang Midtimbang hosted the turnover ceremony and encouraged other LCEs to continue supporting the advocacies of KIATF members in the pursuit of common objectives.
In the same event, Col. Wilbur Mamawag, 603IB commander, also took his oath of office as co-chairperson of KIATF.
“From now on the message must be spread and the commitment must be translated into action to ensure peace and security in the community, and we will work as a team,” Mamawag said.
As a sign of commitment and support to the campaign against the proliferation of loose firearms, the KIATF presented 28 assorted firearms from Datu Anggal Midtimbang, Guindulungan, Talayan, and Talitay.
The firearms included two improvised grenade launchers, six M79 grenade launchers, five 12-gauge shotguns, one Uzi machine pistol, two .45-caliber pistols, seven .38-caliber revolvers, two .22-caliber pistols, one M14 sniper rifle, and two KG9 submachine pistols.
Major Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, 6ID commander, lauded the efforts shown by the KIATF, particularly the LCEs, for extending their support to the government’s campaign against loose firearms.
To date, a total of 2,053 guns had been handed over and recovered in the areas covered by 6ID in Central Mindanao. (PNA)
