MAGUINDANAO, Philippines — Supporters of New People’s Army rebels and Dawlah Islamiya members have turned over 42 assorted firearms to the military in Sarangani.
Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, 6th Infantry Division commander, said local leaders and officials of the 38th Infantry Battalion (IB) interceded for the surrender of the firearms.
“It took time for the 38th IB and local executives to make the owners of the firearms realize that there is nothing good in supporting the two groups. We are happy that their efforts gained breakthrough,” Uy told reporters yesterday.
Meanwhile, Dawlah Islamiya member Muslimin Kulas Tugal was killed in an encounter with government troopers in Barangay Salman in Ampatuan town on Friday.
The military said the clash occurred between personnel of the Joint Task Force Central and around 30 militants led by Salahuddin Hassan.