Manila, April 7 -- The military's campaign against loose firearms continues to gain momentum in Maguindanao del Sur as local officials and civilians in Datu Paglas town surrendered a dozen high-powered firearms on Monday afternoon, according to officials.

Brig. Gen. Omar V. Orozco, commander of the Army's 1st Mechanized Brigade(1MBde), said the surrender was a result of an intensified and relentless government campaign against loose firearms in the province.

"The firearms, voluntarily surrendered by village officials and residents, include M-14 and M-16 rifles, as well as Garand and Carbine rifles," Orozco said in a report on Tuesday.

The surrender ceremony took place at the headquarters of the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion in the ...