PHILIPPINE National Police chief Ronald dela Rosa said gun holders and owners can help the government fight terrorists, like the ones who overran Marawi City in May.
“I wish all gun owners would unite so they can stop a repeat of the Marawi siege,” Dela Rosa said in Filipino during an arms show in Mandaluyong City.
He said organized gun owners could deter terrorist groups.
“I wish all the gun holders for example in the cities of Cotabato, Davao, Iligan, and Cagayan de Oro would organize themselves so that they can become a deterrent to a possible takeover like the Marawi siege,” he said.
Dela Rosa said licensed and trained gun holders could shoot it out with terrorists before the military arrived.
Dela Rosa said he already organized gun owners in Davao City so they could fight off terrorists.
On Friday, military spokesman Maj. Gen. Restituto Padilla said government troops found more firearms and explosive devices in different parts of Marawi City.
These included nine high-powered firearms and explosives buried in the shallow waters of Lake Lanao and at the village of Torongan, also in Lanao del Sur.
Padilla said soldiers found two M16 machine guns, three rifles and two grenade launchers buried in Barangay Torongan.
Two other high-powered firearms were found near the lake, Padilla added.
The latest recover brought to 399 the number of firearms recovered by security forces who are conducting clearing operations in Marawi City.
Troops also found 16 unused explosive devices, he said.
In the main battle area and surrounding areas, troops were scouring for explosive devices and potential booby traps before residents would be allowed back into their homes.
Padilla said 10 more villages would be cleared next week.