COTABATO, Feb. 17 -- Civilians in Maguindanao del Sur surrendered 43 assorted unlicensed firearms to military authorities on Monday, officials said Tuesday.

Lt. Col. Aeron Gumabao, commanding officer of the Army's 57th Infantry Battalion, presented the weapons to Brig. Gen. Michael Santos, 603rd Infantry Brigade commander, and South Upi Mayor Helen Padua during rites in Barangay Poblacion, South Upi.

The surrendered firearms, part of the Small Arms and Light Weapons Management Program of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity, included M16 rifles with M203 grenade launchers and caliber 50 sniper rifles.

"The increasing number of firearms surrendered by civilians to the military indicates the civilians...