Maguindanao officials, candidates turn in unlicensed guns to Army

Maguindanao officials, candidates turn in unlicensed guns to Army

/ 06:35 PM January 29, 2025

Maguindanao local officials, candidates turn in unlicensed guns to Army

Maguindanao del Sur Vice Gov. Nathaniel Midtimbang (in white shirt) and military and police officials view the assorted firearms surrendered by local candidates during a political candidates’ forum on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 at the Army’s 90th IB headquarters in Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur. (Photo from 6th ID public affairs office)

COTABATO CITY – Local officials and aspirants for this year’s midterm elections in Maguindanao del Sur surrendered 21 assorted firearms to the military during an Army-led political candidates’ forum and peace covenant signing on Tuesday, Jan. 28.

The local officials and candidates presented to the Army’s 601st Infantry Brigade their unlicensed firearms in support of the government’s disarmament program and campaign against loose firearms, said Colonel Edgar Catu, the unit’s commanding officer.

Article continues after this advertisement

Before the start of the forum at the headquarters of the 90th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Kabengi, Datu Saudi Ampatuan town, the local officials and candidates from the towns of Ampatuan, Datu Abdulla Sangki, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Datu Unsay, Datu Hoffer, and Shariff Aguak presented the firearms.

FEATURED STORIES

“Your gesture is laudable. It would help in our desire to have honest, peaceful, and orderly elections in May,” Catu told the local officials and candidates. “We hope more candidates would emulate your good gesture.”

Among the weapons that Maguindanao officials turned in were Barret sniper rifles, grenade launchers, assault rifles, 81mm mortar rounds, and 9mm Uzi machine pistols.

Article continues after this advertisement

Brig. Gen. Donald Gumiran, newly installed commander of the 6th Infantry Division, lauded the local officials and urged them to convince other Maguindanao local leaders to surrender their unlicensed firearms.

He vowed to intensify the campaign against persons unauthorized to possess firearms in the 6ID area of operation which includes the Maguindanao provinces, Sultan Kudarat, part of Cotabato province, South Cotabato, and part of Sarangani.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

TAGS: Maguindanao, politicians with guns

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2025 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.