DATU PIANG, Maguindanao del Sur - Residents of this town and four neighboring areas voluntarily surrendered 39 assorted firearms to military and local officials in a ceremony Wednesday. Lt. Col. Al Victor C. Burkley, commander of the 6th Infantry Battalion (6IB), presented the firearms to Col. Ricky P. Bunayog, deputy commander of the 601st Brigade, at the 6IB headquarters in Barangay Buayan. 'The civilians and local officials turned over long and short firearms,' Burkley said. Among the weapons surrendered was a Barrett .50 caliber sniper rifle and ammunition. The firearms came from residents of Datu Piang, Mamasapano, Shariff Saydona Mustapha, and Datu Salibo. In a separate event on the same day, Maj. Gen. Antonio G. Nafarrete, commander of the 6th Infantry Division (6ID), honored two Marine soldiers - Staff Sgt. Manalo Aurelio Jr. and Corporal Mark Jay A. Gloria, who were wounded in a clash with local terrorists in Bongo Island, Parang on Oct. 18. Seven suspected terrorists were killed during the en counter. Nafarrete lauded the 6IB's relentless campaign against loose firearms, saying, 'This is a major step toward attaining peace in your communities.' Source: Philippines News agency