Villagers turn in unlicensed firearms to 6th ID

COTABATO CITY --- Villagers surrendered to the Army Friday 13 assorted firearms, including grenade launchers, in support of a local disarmament program of the 6^th Infantry Division.

Army Major Gen. Alex Rillera, commander of the 6^th Infantry Division, told reporters Sunday the unlicensed firearms were turned over by residents of interior barangays in Upi, Maguindanao del Norte and Lebak, Sultan Kudarat to the 57^th Infantry Battalion.

The cache consists of a vintage .30 caliber Carbine rifle, four 12 gauge shotguns, three .45 caliber pistols, a 9 millimeter pistol, a .38 revolver, an M203 grenade launcher and two shoulder-fire single shot M79 grenade launchers.

Rillera said it was through the intercession of 57^th IB’s commanding officer, Lt. Col. Guillermo Mabute, and Brig. Gen. Michael Santos of the 603^rd Infantry Brigade that villagers agreed to turn in their unlicensed firearms to both officers.