By Sam Ramos
Local officials and residents in Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur, handed over four high-powered firearms on Sunday as part of the government’s ongoing disarmament initiative aimed at promoting peace and security.
Brig. Gen. Romeo Macapaz, regional director of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) police, reported that Dapiawan Barangay Chairman Ibrahim Guno led the surrender effort, collecting the firearms from residents before turning them over to the municipal police station.
Macapaz commended the community’s proactive role, noting, “The civilians handed over four M16 rifles,” in a statement on Monday. He also praised the strategic dialogues led by Datu Saudi Ampatuan municipal police and barangay officials, which encouraged local leaders to support the voluntary surrender of unlicensed firearms.
The surrendered firearms are now in the custody of Datu Saudi Ampatuan MPS and will be transferred to the Provincial Supply and Accountable Office (PSAO) of the Maguindanao del Sur Provincial Police Office for safekeeping.
This disarmament effort is part of a broader peace initiative in BARMM, which has seen over 200 loose firearms surrendered to authorities since January.