By Edwin Fernandez
COTABATO CITY – More than 40 firearms were voluntarily surrendered by residents of 24 barangays in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte, on Monday as part of the government’s Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Management Program.
The firearms were turned over during an activity in Barangay Bitu, where Datu Odin Sinsuat Municipal Mayor Baba Abas and officials of the military and police demonstrated their support for the program.
Abas said the civilians in 24 villages wanted to contribute to the government’s efforts to establish genuine peace in troubled communities due to the proliferation of loose firearms.
“I hope other villagers in other communities of Datu Odin Sinsuat will follow suit,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.
Among the surrendered weapons were four sniper rifles, a Garand rifle, an M16 rifle, a Carbine rifle, a rocket-propelled grenade, three grenade launchers, three submachine guns, 11 shotguns, three .45-caliber pistols, one 9mm pistol, 12 .38-caliber revolvers, one .22-caliber revolver, and two 5.56mm pistols.
Authorities said most of the firearms were homemade or fabricated.
The 24 participating barangays were Ambolodto, Bagoenged, Baka, Bitu, Bugawas, Bungued, Capiton, Dados, Dulangan, Kakar, Kenebeka, Kurintem, Labungan, Makir, Margues, Nekitan, Poblacion Dalican, Sapalan, Sifaren, Sibuto, Tambak, Tanuel, Taviran, and Tenonggos.
The SALW program aims to reduce the number of loose firearms in communities, prevent election-related violence, and help ensure the peaceful and orderly conduct of the first Bangsamoro parliamentary elections on Sept. 14.
Abas urged his constituents who possess unlicensed guns to turn them over to police and military authorities to support the government’s peace efforts.
In exchange, the gun owners will receive a monetary and livelihood package to support their sources of income. (PNA)
