By CRIS DIAZ, Executive Editor
CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City: Exactly 316 captured and surrendered firearms of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) were “demilitarized” so they could not be used anymore, the military said Thursday.
“Demilitarization” is the destruction of firearms by “cutting” its parts using a circular saw, whereby all firearm parts shall be rendered ineffective for use as a component or a complete firearm.
Gen. Jose C. Faustino Jr,, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (CSAFP), led the ceremonial demilitarization of 316 firearms here Wednesday.
Faustino said that the demilitarization of the firearms was part of the procedure that would ensure that the firearms could not be used anymore for other purposes.
He said, that the demilitarization of firearms was a demonstration of the government’s commitment to end the local communist armed conflict by destroying the very instruments used to propagate terrorism against the people.
Of the 316 demilitarized firearms, 88 were standard firearms, which were beyond economical repair and 228 were non-standard firearms or firearms that were not in the AFP’s inventory. -0-
