DAVAO CITY (PIA)-- Authorities destroyed on Thursday 54 firearms seized from the New People's Army at Eastern Mindanao Command (EMC) in Naval Station Felix Apolinario, Panacan, Davao City.
National Security Adviser Secretary Clarita Carlos, Department of National Defense Officer-in-Charge Senior Undersecretary Jose Faustino Jr, and National Task Force To End Local Communist Armed Conflict Executive Director Retired General Emmanuel Salamat led the ceremonial demilitarization.
The firearms were tagged as surrendered, captured, confiscated, and surrendered.
According to EMC Spokesperson Major Alex Mindalano, the firearms underwent process of segregation, microetching, and approval before those were sent for demilitarization.
Before this, a total of 835 firearms were also demilitarized in the area of Eastern Mindanao since 2019.
Some 144 high and low powered firearms were cut in Tagum and Cagayan de Oro on 2019; 16 in Davao City on 2020; and 675 in Butuan City, Mawab, and Cagayan de Oro on 2021.
The ceremonial demilitarization was part of the visit of NSA Secretary Carlos in Eastern Mindanao Command.
She also had an executive session with the heads of the Regional Peace and Order Council, Regional Development Council, and different government security agencies.
Carlos also met with the former rebels at Happy Home in Barangay Mahayag, Bunawan, Davao City.
The FRs are from the dismantled Sub Regional Committee 5 headed by Ida Marie Montero alias Ka Mandy. (PIA XI, Michael Uy)
