Maguindanao del Sur: Officials and candidates in Maguindanao del Sur have surrendered 21 high-powered firearms to the military during a forum at the headquarters of the Army's 90th Infantry Battalion in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town. The event took place on Tuesday and was aimed at promoting peaceful elections in the region.

According to Philippines News Agency, Col. Edgar Catu, commander of the Army's 601st Infantry Brigade, expressed his approval of the gesture, describing it as a positive move towards ensuring peace. The Army organized the forum and a peace covenant signing as part of efforts to contribute to a peaceful election process in May. During the event, mayors, board members, and political candidates from various towns presented the firearms to Col. Catu and other military officials.

The surrendered arsenal included homemade .50-caliber Barrett sniper rifles, grenade launchers, assault rifles, 81 mm mortar rounds, and 9 mm Uzi machine pistols. Brig. Gen. Donald M. Gumiran, commander of the 6th Infantry Division (6ID), commended the participants and encouraged them to persuade others to relinquish their weapons.

In a related development on the same day, seven members of Dawlah Islamiya, an extremist group, surrendered to military authorities in North Cotabato. They handed over seven firearms, including a 7.62 mm Barrett sniper rifle, along with ammunition. The 6ID has reportedly collected over 100 unlicensed guns in the provinces of Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabato, South Cotabato, and Sarangani.