Marines collect 309 firearms in Sulu

Armed residents in Sulu province have surrendered enough weapons to arm at least three platoons, Philippines officials said.

Colonel Armel Tolato, commander of the Marine Ready Force-Sulu (MRF-S) said armed residents from nine municipalities of the restive Southern Philippines surrendered 308 firearms, ranging from Garand battle rifles (136 pieces), to M4M16 assault rifles, mortars (4 units) as well as light and heavy machine guns.

The illegally owned firearms were handed over to local officials in Banguingui, Kalingalan Caluang, Lugus, Luuk, Pandami, Panamao, Panglima Estino and Siasi municipalities.

Football festival

The firearms were collected as the Marines held a football festival for residents as part of peace efforts.

“The handover of these firearms is the result of the series of All-in-One Mission, Football for Peace Festival and constant dialogues to local officials and their constituents conducted by this unit in the Area of Operation,” Tolato said.

He said the turnover of firearms was the result of the strict implementation of Martial Law in the area.

President Rodrigo Duterte on May 23 last year placed the entire island of Mindanao under Martial Law in an effort to contain the uprising in Marawi City led by Daesh-inspired groups.

These Daesh sympathisers were led by Basilan and Sulu-based Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon and the brothers Omar and Abdullah Maute of Lanai del Sur.