Another Maguindanao town responds to PRRDs call to surrender loose guns

TALITAY,
Maguindanao -- Another symbolic ceremony of Balik Baril Program happened at
the municipal hall of Talitay, Maguindanao yesterday, around 9and00am of 21 April
2018, in response to the call of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to surrender
loose firearms.

Municipal
Mayor Abdulwahab M. Sabal, Al-Haj, handed over Twenty Five(25) different types
of weapons and ammunitions to 6th Infantry (Kampilan) Division, Philippine Army
(6ID) Assitant Division Commander and Chairman of the GPH CCCH, Brigadier
General Cirilo Thomas Donato, and to the Commanding Officer of the 90th
Infantry (Bigkis Lahi) Battalion Lt. Col. Crisaldo Fernandez.

The surrender
of loose firearms is a concerted effort of the 603rd Infantry Brigade thru the
90IB, and the Local Government Unit headed by Mayor Sabal, Vice Mayor Kamid
Buisan, the barangay officials and the peace loving communities of Talitay. The
surrendered unlicensed armaments are now in custody of the 90IB for
safekeeping.

I am glad
that you are here to witness the Balik Baril Program of Duterte’s government.
This is not only the program of Talitay but of the whole nation. We are in
support of this program because we shun violence and extremism. We also support
other government’s programs in order to get rid of illegal drugs and terrorism,
Sabal said.

We have three issues here in Talitayand one is the proliferation of loose firearms that is
why through the efforts of our Barangay officials we have this Balik Baril
Program and secondly is the issue on illegal drugs, Fernandez said.

The third one
is the forthcoming Barangay Election. In 2016, somebody died here in Talitay,
he said, appealing to the local residents to refrain from firing your guns.

I pose this
challenge to you with my gratitude in responding to this Balik Baril program, Fernandez
stressed.

Brig. Gen
Donato Jr. saidand as Chairman of the GPH CCCH, I have observed that there is a
big concern in terms of our security, due to a large number of private armed
groups and of course the proliferation of loose firearms.

As your 6ID
Assistant Division Chief, I believe that we will be able attain peace if we
work together. This Balik Baril program is only one of the many steps that we
have to take to have a peaceful Talitay. My sincere congratulations to the
people of Talitay headed by your chief executive for having this kind of
ceremony, Donato said.

The president
of the League of Mayors in Maguindanao, Mayor Freddie G. Mangundadatu, who also
graced the ceremony said, When I was campaigning here, I can only see swamps
all over and only a handful of houses around this town. Now, I am happy that
there are already cemented roads and other developments. More development is
coming in this town of Talitay.

Jomar Ongkowa,
a local resident of Brgy. Mangay, Talitay, has this to say. This Balik Baril
is the onset of realizing peace here in Talitay. This is a good program that
will reduce the number of lawless elements for it will also diminish the
bringing of arms around this town. Our humble
contribution in achieving peace is by reporting to the authorities those who
are illegally handling weapons of war, Ongkowa added.

In relation to
the on-going campaign against loose firearms, the 6ID and the Joint Task Force
Central Commander, Maj. General Arnel B. Dela Vega earlier said, Your Police
and Military are the only ones who are allowed to carry armaments as mandated
to keep the peace in Central Mindanao. Your involvement to attain a long and
lasting peace is by laying down your arms and follows the rule of law. This
concerted efforts of Talitay local leaders in support to the Balik Baril
program of Pres. Duterte, is an expression that you yourselves want to have
peace in your area. So let us all together work on it, Gen. Dela Vega said.

The ceremony
was also witnessed by Senior Supt. Edwin BC Wagan, Provincial Police Director of
Maguindanao, Maj. Abulbasser P. Adio of 6th CMO (Kasangga) Battalion and Atty.
Haron Meling, a former administrator and now a consultant of Talitay, who as well
acted as the Master of Ceremony.

Also in
attendance during the activity were Omar Bayao, MILF CCCH Representative
P/INSP Gerodiaz, COP Talitay and Mayor Marop Ampatuan of Shariff Aguak.

For his
closing remarks the ABC President Ambel A. Guimadel saidand We are sincerely
thankful for your attendance in our humble municipality. This Balik Baril
program is a means to finally put an end to all mayhem especially in this town
of Talitay.