Kabasalan officials surrender loose firearms

ZAMBOANGA CITY– A total of 49 assorted high-powered firearms were surrendered by village officials to the police in Kabasalan in Sibugay province in simple ceremonies held at Kabasalan Municipal Session Hall, Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay late last week.

Police Director for Zamboanga peninsula (PNP-9) Chief Supt Emmanuel Luis D. Licup said yesterday officials of the different barangays in Kabasalan surrendered to the police a total of 49 assorted long and short firearms to the police.

According to Licup the surrender of the said loose firearms was initiated by Insp. Mac Kenley A Mayomis, Officerin-Charge of Kabasalan Municipal Police Station.

Licup said the surrendered firearms were all homemade and improvised, or so-called “paltik”.

These included 13 12-gauge shotguns; 12 units homemade cal-.38 revolvers; a cal.-3516 revolver; four cal.-357 revolvers; five 12-gauge pistols; seven marble guns; two cal.-5.56mm revolvers; a cal.-22 revolver; a cal.-30mm Garand rifle; 3 cal.-22 revolvers and six magazines for cal.-12 gauge.

Licup said the surrender of these loose firearms by the barangay officials was a clear manifestation that police authorities were serious in their campaign.

Kabasalan Municipal Mayor Isagani Balladares and the members of Municipal Council were present during the turn-over ceremony.

Also at the turn-over rites were Supt. Nestor Y. Tiempo, Sibugay provincial director; Lt. Col. Jonathan P. Obena, commander, 44th IB; 1Lt. Bryan Sonny S. Arlegui, commanding officer, Bravo Coy, 44th IB, PA.

During the ceremony, the participants were also educated about the laws in possessing firearms.

The police also urged the village officials that all unlicensed and unregistered firearms must be surrendered either to the PNP or AFP to ensure the peace and tranquility in the community.