28/11/2025
COTABATO CITY, Philippines (November 28, 2025, Philippine Star) โ The military has collected 271 more assorted combat weapons surrendered by residents of different towns in Maguindanao del Sur through the intercession of local executives and Army officials in the province.
Brig. Gen. Edgar Catu, commander of the Armyโs 601st Infantry Brigade, presented the cache to his superior, Major Gen. Jose Vladimir Cagara of the Armyโs 6th Infantry Division and a representative of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity, Ferdinand Buscato, during a symbolic rite on Thursday, November 27, in Buluan, capital town of the province.
Cagara said Gov. Ali Midtimbang and Maguindanao del Sur Rep. Esmael Mangudadatu, both present in the event, helped Catu and officials of Army units under him and the Armyโs 1st Mechanized Brigade convince villagers to turn the 271 weapon, comprised of M16, M14, M1 Garand and Carbine rifles, long-range bolt-action sniper rifles, .50 caliber machineguns, 40 millimeter gr***de and B40 rocket launchers and a 90RR recoilless launcher in support of the Small Arms and Light Weapons Program.
The 6th ID and the OPAPRU started implementing in July 2024 the SALW Program in Central Mindanao in support of the disarmament agenda of Malacaรฑangโs peace overture with southern Moro communities.
โTo all of those supporting the program, among them mayors and traditional leaders in their municipalities, we are very grateful,โ Cagara said.
Since July 2024, Army units under 6th ID have collected 2,021 combat weapons via the SALW Program, which covers six provinces, Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte, both in Bangsamoro region, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato and Sarangani in Region 12.
The SALW Program is also being implemented in four cities under 6th ID's jurisdiction, Cotabato, which is the capital of the Bangsamoro region, Tacurong, Koronadal and General Santos, all in Region 12.
Thursday's event at Buluan was capped off with the distribution to owners of the surrendered combat weapons by the office of Midtimbang, chairman of the multi-sector Maguindanao del Sur Provincial Peace and Order Council, of rice and other essential relief provisions as consolation for their having heeded appeals for them to comply with the SALW Program. (John Unson, November 28, 2025, Philippine Star)