ILIGAN CITY – The mayor of the municipality of Hadji Muhtamad in Basilan turned over 23 loose firearms surrendered by residents on Monday, Jan. 30.
Mayor Arsina Nanoh handed over these firearms to Joint Task Force Basilan commander Brig. Gen. Domingo Gobway, Basilan Gov. Jim Hataman-Salliman, and Col. Carlos Madronio, Basilan police director, in Barangay Tausan, Pilas Island, Hadji Muhtamad.
These guns were an M16A1 rifle, six M1 Garand rifles, two M1 Carbine, two KG-9, two .38 revolvers, and ten .45 automatic Colt pistols.
Gobway said their surrender was a result of the Joint Task Force Basilan’s relentless campaign against loose firearms in line with the Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) program of the provincial government.
“I recognize the collaborative efforts of the 4th Special Forces Battalion and municipal local government unit of Hadji Muhtamad that facilitated the peaceful surrender of loose firearms," Gobway said.
These firearms were temporarily placed under the custody of the JTF Basilan for documentation prior to turn over to higher headquarters.