CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – Residents from seven barangays of Pikit Municipality, North Cotabato surrendered seven (7) high-powered firearms to Joint Task Force Central (JTF Central) forces at Brgy Ladtingan, Pikit, Cotabato on November 19, 2021.
Lt. Col. Rommel Mundala, Commanding Officer of 90th Infantry Battalion disclosed that the surrender of 7 loose firearms was made possible with the help of the Barangay Chairmen of barangays Pamalian, Punol, Macasendeg, Damalasak, Kolambog, Silik, and Pulangi all under Pikit Municipality. The surrendered firearms includes two (2) US Carbine Cal 30 rifle, one (1) US Cal 30 M1 Springfield rifle, two (2) M1 Garand Rifles, and two (2) M1917 Enfield rifles.
Col Jovencio F Gonzales, Commander of 602Bde, acknowledged the role of the community in realizing this achievement towards peace. “The people of North Cotabato along with the Local Government Units has been our active partners in the attainment of peace and stability in the Province,” Col. Gonzales said.
Further, Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, Commander of JTF Central and 6th Infantry Division, calls on the communities of other provinces within JTF Central Joint Area of Operation to replicate the efforts made by Pikit, North Cotabato in sanitizing their localities of the presence of loose firearms. “A community without loose firearms indicates that it is stable and peaceful, free from any threat influence,” said Maj. Gen. Uy while encouraging the communities and the LGUs to trust the military and the police in enforcing law and order in their respective communities.
