SND local govt. turnover 52 loose firearms to military

SND Barangay Chairmen posed with Philippine Army Col. Dauz, Lt. Col. Manalo and Mayor Ulwan Dimaporo.

Sultan Naga Dimaporo (SND), Lanao del Norte – There were 52 loose firearms turned-over from the 37 Barangays thru their chairmen and 15 civilians, Mayor Ulwan Dimaporo told reporters during the turnover ceremony on June 13, 2018 at the Municipal gymnasium this town.

LTC Ronel R. Manalo CAV (GSC) PA, Battalion Commander, 5^th Mechanized Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army extended his thanks to the local officials of SND headed by Mayor Ulwan M. Dimaporo including the Barangay officials for their utmost cooperation for the turnover of 52 high powered firearms. Manalo said the turnover of firearms is a gesture of peace leading towards development of SND as part of the thrust of the national government program on peace and development to stop the proliferation of loose firearms.

 

Turnover signing, R-L: LTC Manalo, Mayor Dimaporo & Col. Dauz

Dimaporo said the turnover of 52 loose firearms were coming from the 37 Barangays and 15 civilians who voluntarily turnover without any remunerations to benefit peace. He assured that the Local government of SND will always support the program of the Military and the national government headed by President Duterte to stop the proliferation of loose firearms. Dimaporo said the people of SND are united for peace and development aiming to boom its tourism industry with the presence of environmentally friendly beaches and guaranteed peaceful environment. SND is the center of attraction between the Zamboanga peninsula and Cotabato peninsula. That’s why peace is very important to invite more visitors in the area, said Dimaporo.

The turnover of 52 loose firearms.

Col. Robert C. Dauz CAV (PCSC) PA, Commander, 2^nd Mechanized Infantry “Magbalantay” Brigade, Philippine Army. In his message he borrowed the idea of MGen Murillo, AFP, Commander, 1^st “Tabak” Division, a simple equation of the turnover of firearms is to save lives. The turnover of 52 loose firearms will save 52 lives at the minimum. He extended his thanks to Mayor Ulwan Dimaporo for leading the people in SND united towards peace and development, a beautiful and peaceful place. Dauz further explained about the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). He said the military supports the Government efforts on dealing with peace with the Bangsamoro. The final decision of the BBL will be watched on July 23 as soon as congress will resume their session and probably announcement will come during the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Duterte.  

Dauz said the 52 loose firearms turned-over to the military will be demilitarized and cut into pieces. Loose firearms will be the responsibility of the Military while expired licenses of firearms is the responsibility of the Philippine National Police (PNP) for safekeeping while processing the licenses renewal. Firearms is part of the culture and tradition of the Maranaos because it symbolizes power and security of a family to protect from “rido” or family feud. 

The boodle fight!

Col. Dauz said comparing to the analogy on half full-half empty glass. He said people looking at the half empty are pessimistic while those who are looking at the half-full are optimistic. The pessimist will look at the situation in a negative perception while the optimistic will look at the situation on a positive perception. Dauz added that there are some chief executives in their area of responsibility (AOR) who have lack of support and cooperation in the calling to stop the proliferation of loose firearms. Indeed, the 2^nd Mechanized Brigade is committed to protect the people in their AOR at all times and supports the development program of the municipality of SND, said Dauz. (News reports by Jun Enrique

z, photos by Salve Gimena)