MAGUINDANAO DEL SUR, Philippines – Local executives from six towns in Maguindanao del Sur turned over 40 combat firearms to the Army’s 601st Infantry Brigade on Saturday, April 26, as part of ongoing efforts to complement the Mindanao peace process.

The surrendered weapons include M16, M14, Garand, and Carbine rifles, bolt-action sniper rifles, a 60mm mortar, two .50 caliber machine guns, and an Uzi machine pistol.

The local officials formally presented to Lieutenant General Antonio Nafarrete, commander of the Western Mindanao Command, and Major General Donald Gumiran of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (6ID) during a symbolic ceremony at the brigade’s headquarters in Ampatuan town.

Gumiran, who also heads the anti-terror Joint Task Force Central, said the firearms were voluntarily turned over by residents through the efforts of Brigadier General Edgar Catu and the mayors of Ampatuan, Shariff Aguak, Mamasapano, Sultan sa Barongis, Datu Abdullah Sangki, and Datu Saudi Ampatuan.

Unlicensed Firearms Reduction

The surrender was part of the Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Management Program, a joint initiative of the 6ID and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity led by Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. The program aims to reduce the proliferation of unlicensed firearms and restore normalcy in areas long affected by conflict.

“We are grateful for the extensive support of local government units in cities and provinces under the 6th Infantry Division’s jurisdiction,” Nafarrete said.

The ongoing disarmament effort covers Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sarangani, and the cities of Cotabato, Tacurong, Koronadal, and General Santos.

Since the program’s launch in July 2023, units under the 6ID have collected over 700 firearms, including high-powered rifles, B-40 rockets, grenade launchers, machine guns, mortars, shotguns, and pistols.

The military sees the initiative as a critical component in sustaining peace and security gains in Mindanao after decades of armed conflict.

About The Author

John Unson

John Unson is a veteran Filipino journalist who serves as a staff writer for the regions “Central Mindanao and BARMM” at The Philippine Star. He covers news and events in Mindanao — especially in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and the broader Central Mindanao area. His reporting spans a wide range of topics including security incidents, terrorist-related developments, drug enforcement, smuggling operations, social issues, and regional politics.

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