Manila, Feb. 10 -- Village officials in Matanog, Maguindanao del Norte, surrendered 11 unlicensed firearms to authorities on Sunday afternoon, supporting the Army's 6th Infantry Division (6ID) Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Management Program.

Lt. Col. John de la Cruz, commander of the 2nd Marine Battalion Landing Team (MBLT-2), said Matanog Mayor Zohria Bansil-Guro led barangay officials in turning over the firearms during a ceremony at the municipal building.

De la Cruz and Maguindanao del Norte Police Provincial Director Col. Eleuterio Ricardo received the firearms, which included assorted rifles and handguns.

In a statement Monday, de la Cruz praised the mayor and village officials for their cooperation in the campaign against...