Villagers surrender high-powered firearms to AFP in Maguindanao del Sur

DISARMAMENT. Mayor Abubakar Paglas (right) of Datu Paglas, Maguindanao del Sur, and Brig. Gen. Andre Santos (center), 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade commander, inspect the loose firearms surrendered by village officials and citizens. (Army photo)

COTABATO CITY – Villagers of Datu Paglas, Maguindanao del Sur surrendered to military authorities at least 18 loose firearms on Thursday with the help of the local government.

Datu Paglas Mayor Abubakar Paglas of Datu and Liutenant Colonel Jayson Domingo, commanding officer of the Army’s 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion, turned over the firearms to Brigadier General Andre Santos, commander of the 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade, during surrender rites at the municipal gym on Thursday.

“The Balik-Baril program continues to make significant strides in enhancing community safety and reducing illegal firearms in the Municipality of Datu Paglas,” Santos said.

Domingo said among the surrendered firearms were a sub-machine gun and a caliber .50 Berret sniper rifle.

Paglas said the firearms were collected by the village officials from their constituents in support of the government’s disarmament program and campaign against unlicensed firearms.

Santos said the surrender of a weapon marks a milestone in the fight against gun-related crimes and violence.

“We are pleased to see such a positive response to the Balik-Baril program in our community,” Santos said.

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“The willingness of individuals to surrender their firearms demonstrates a shared commitment to creating a safer and more secure environment for everyone,” he added.

To date, over 80 loose firearms were surrendered to the military or recovered during Army operations in Maguindanao del Sur since January this year.