MORE GUNS DESTROYED IN MAGUINDANAO

CAMP SIONGCO, AWANG, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao: The military from the Philippine Army’s 6th Infantry Division (6ID) based here destroyed hundreds of unlicensed firearms seized in recent months from the civilians in Maguindanao

under a decommissioning program meant to boost the southern Mindanao peace process. Major Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, 6ID commander; Lt. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, Western Mindanao Command head; and Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu led the disposal of the firearms here at the camp using a road roller. Among the firearms destroyed were machine guns and launchers for 60 and 81-millimeter mortars and B-40 anti-tank rockets. The event also capped off Wednesday’s commemoration of the 31st Founding Anniversary of 6ID which covers Maguindanao, North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat provinces and several towns in Lanao del Sur. The division has jurisdiction over Army brigades and battalions deployed in the bastions of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and in areas where big clans are known for stockpiling firearms both as status symbol and protection. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, born in Midsayap, North Cotabato and raised in Parang town of Maguindanao, was keynote speaker in the event. De la Vega said most of the firearms were surrendered by feuding clans involved in over a hundred “rido” since 2013 that have been reconciled by the provincial government of Maguindanao.