Army seizes guns in Maguindanao

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao  – The military here announced today the recovery of assorted firearms from a safehouse in Datu Salibo, Maguindanao believed to be from IS linked armed group.

Major Gen. Diosdado Carreon, the commander of the Army’s 6^th Infantry Division and Joint Task Force Central, said the firearms were seized by elements of 57^th Infantry Battalion and 1^st Mechanized Infantry Battalions in several abandoned houses in Barangay Butilen, Datu Salibo, Maguindanao at 5 a.m. Thursday.

The operating units received one cal. 9mm and two cal. 45 pistols and components of long and high powered guns and other war materials.

The firearms were believed to be abandoned by members of IS linked Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) who have been the subject of massive military manhunt since January this year.

“Soldiers continue to secure areas where armed groups operate to sow terror and fear among the peace-loving people of Mindanao,” Carreon said.

Informed of the accomplishments, Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of Western Mindanao Command, said the government forces will continue to conduct preemptive measures to ensure public safety.

“Ground forces build up security operations as preemptive measures against threats posed by lawless groups in the operational area,” Sobejana said.

“The military also bolsters its campaign against loose firearms which are being utilized as tools of violence by lawless groups in Mindanao,” he added.