Manila: 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 M4-M16 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.
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.
The Abu Sayyaf and Maute, aided by local and foreign sympathisers, were aiming to establish an Islamic Caliphate based in Marawi City. However, security forces curtailed their plans.
Sulu has a high number of firearm per household compared to any other province in the Philippines due to the long standing presence of the Abu Sayyaf as well as the several decades old Moro insurgency before that.
Meanwhile, President Duterte urged Muslim leaders in the country to rally behind and support the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), which aims to bring lasting peace in Mindanao.
Presidential Peace Adviser, Jesus Dureza, said Duterte had met with leaders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front on Tuesday in Davao City to hear their side about the BBL and ongoing efforts at the Senate and House to draft a law that will embody the aspirations contained in the proposed BBL.
Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri said once the Senate and House passes a unified version of the BBL, it will be transmitted for Duterte’s approval.
Zubiri eyes the submission of the approved bicameral version of the BBL before Duterte’s state-of-the-nation address in July 2018.
