43 guns recovered from Lanao town execs

LANAO DEL SUR, Philippines — At least 43 unlicensed guns were surrendered by local officials of Piagapo town in this province. 

The arms cache, which consists of assault rifles, machine guns and rocket launchers, were turned over by Mayor Ali Sumandar to the 103rd Brigade and provincial police during ceremonies held in Marawi on Friday.

Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. of the Western Mindanao Command said personnel of the Army’s 51st Infantry Battalion and provincial peace and order council, including Lanao del Sur Vice Gov. Mamintal Adiong Jr., interceded for the surrender of the firearms.

Piagapo is among the five towns in this province where  Maute militants organized and recruited their members. 

Galvez said local government officials in the other towns have sent feelers on the turnover of their unlicensed guns.

The military said more than 600 loose firearms have been recovered in Mindanao since January in line with the implementation of martial law and the campaign against loose firearms.