In a significant move towards peace and security, residents of Datu Abdullah Sangki in Maguindanao del Sur voluntarily surrendered 20 unlicensed M14 rifles to the military on Friday. The handover was officiated by Mayor Suharto Al Wali Mangudadatu, who presented the firearms to Col. Edgar Catu, the commander of the Army’s 601st Infantry Brigade, at the municipal hall. This action is a part of the government’s ongoing Small Arms and Light Weapon Management Program, aimed at reducing the circulation of illegal firearms and promoting safer elections. The rifles were collected from local village officials and residents. Since the beginning of the year, the Army’s 6th Infantry Division has successfully gathered over 150 loose firearms across several regions including Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabato, and Sarangani.
