Military troops recovered at least 11 loose firearms reportedly abandoned by armed men in Mamasapano, Maguindanao del Sur.

The 6th Infantry Division (6ID) said a concerned citizen tipped authorities about the guns abandoned in the boundary of Barangay Pimbalakan and Tukanalipao.

“Agad tayong nagsagawa ng hakbang matapos maibigay sa atin ang impormasyon hinggil sa kinaroroonan nga mga iniwang armas mula sa grupo ni Zainodin Kiaro para makaiwas sa tropa ng pamahalaan na nagsasagawa ng Joint Law Enforcement Operation,” 33IB Commander, Lt. Col. Udgie Villan, said.

The firearms recovered include three caliber .30 sniper rifle; two grenade launcher; two M16A1 rifles; a caliber .50 sniper rifle; a caliber .30 Garand rifle; an M14 rifle; and a caliber .30 Carbine M1.

6ID said the loose firearms seized through the joint military and police law enforcement operations since last week reached 73.

6ID and Joint Task Force Central Commander, Major General Antonio Nafarrete, said the police and military will continue to conduct operations against illegal and loose guns in central and south-central Mindanao.

“Ang inyong kasundalohan ng 6ID at JTF Central ay mananatiling nakatuon sa pakikipag-ugnayan sa lahat ng stakeholders upang makamit ang pangmatagalang kapayapaan at katatagan sa rehiyon. Kakahaharapin nila ang buong puwersa ng batas kapag hindi sila susunod sa ating panawagang isuko ang mga iligal na armas,” Nafarrete said.