COTABATO CITY (PIA) — The 6th Infantry “Kampilan” Division (6ID) of the Philippine Army is intensifying its campaign against loose firearms ahead of the 2025 midterm elections.
In a video message, Lt. Col. Roden Orbon, spokesperson of the 6ID, shared that the intensified campaign against loose firearms aims to ensure peaceful and secure 2025 national and local elections.
“Ito po ay bahagi ng malawakang effort natin ng 6th Infantry ‘Kampilan’ Division o Joint Task Force Central na hikayatin ang ating mga mamamayan partikular ‘yong ating mga local government official, ‘yong ating mga barangay officials na hikayatin ‘yong kanilang mga constituents na may mga loose firearms o ‘yong mga unlicensed o undocumented firearms,” he stressed.
(This is part of the 6th Infantry ‘Kampilan’ Division’s extensive effort, also known as Joint Task Force Central, to encourage our citizens, particularly local government officials and barangay officials, to persuade their constituents who have loose firearms or unlicensed or undocumented firearms.)
Orbon reported that since early last year, the 6ID has been actively facilitating a series of turnovers of loose firearms from various areas under its jurisdiction.
Based on the latest data from the 6ID, more than 400 assorted loose firearms have already been recovered from the army’s AOR.
Orbon said that the campaign against the proliferation of loose firearms also seeks to ensure that residents would feel more secure and safe going about their daily activities.
“We are aspiring for, praying for, and working for an honest, orderly and peaceful elections. We welcome ‘yong mga ganitong initiative o panawagan na mai-surrender itong mga loose firearms (We applaud initiatives or calls like this to surrender these loose firearms),” the spokesperson added.
The initiative of 6ID is also part of the National Campaign on Loose Firearms and Small Arms and Light Weapons Program of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU), which aims to curb the proliferation of unregistered and illegally obtained weapons.
Orbon also encouraged others still holding unregistered weapons to follow suit.
“We hope ‘yong ibang mga politicial leaders natin especially ‘yong mga barangay officials at nais tumakbo sa papalapit na halalan ay makipagtulungan, at sama-sama nating linisin ‘yong ating mga barangay doon sa mga natitirang loose firearms ‘yong mga undocumented na illegal firearms na nandiyan,” he emphasized.
(We hope that our other political leaders, particularly the barangay officials who are interested in running in the upcoming elections, will cooperate with us. Together, we will remove any remaining loose firearms and undocumented illegal firearms from our barangays.)
The 6ID also lauded the active involvement and cooperation of various local government units for the success of the aforementioned campaign.
“Lahat po ng ito ay ginagawa natin para maging payapa, ligtas, maayos, at tahimik ang ating upcoming national, regional, at local elections,” Orbon said.
(We are taking these steps to ensure the peaceful, safe, orderly, and quiet conduct of our upcoming national, regional, and local elections.) (LTB – PIA Cotabato City)
