Sultan kudarat: The Philippine Army’s 7th Infantry Battalion (7IB) seized assorted high-powered firearms in a remote village here on Monday, a military official reported Tuesday.

According to Philippines News Agency, Lt. Col. Tristan Rey Vallescas, commander of the 7IB, said the soldiers responded swiftly to a tip from residents indicating firearms were hidden in a residential compound in Lagandang, a village situated 15 km from the town center. “The war materials were owned by an alias ‘Mutin Ali’ who hid his firearms in his compound,” Vallescas said in a statement.

Recovered were two fabricated caliber .50 rifles, one fabricated M79 grenade launcher, three rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) launchers, and two RPG anti-tank ammunition. Vallescas noted that the firearms were placed in a sack and studded with stones, adding that the alleged gun owner was not present at his residence during the Army-led operation.

Brig. Gen. Michael Santos, the Army’s 603rd Infantry Brigade commander, lauded the accomplishment of the 7IB and emphasized the importance of continued community cooperation. “I urge our communities to remain vigilant and work hand-in-hand with us in eliminating the tools of violence such as these loose firearms,” Santos said.

The recovered firearms were temporarily placed under the custody of 7IB and will later be transferred to the Army’s 6th Infantry Division’s (6ID) headquarters for safekeeping. Since January, the Army’s 6ID has collected more than 3,000 assorted firearms from lawless elements, Moro rebels, and civilians who voluntarily surrendered their guns in support of the government’s disarmament campaign.