Military crushes 271 firearms

ZAMBOANGA CITY — The military destroyed 271 loose firearms of various calibers and at the same time distributed livelihood assistance to former gun holders in Maguindanao del Sur as part of the Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Program.

Brig. Gen. Edgar L. Catu, commander of the 601st Infantry “Unifier” Brigade, said the twin activities were held Thursday at the Kalilintad Hall in the Provincial Capitol in Buluan, Maguindanao del Sur.

Catu said the surrendered firearms were first presented to Maguindanao del Sur Governor Datu Ali Midtimbang and Maj. Gen. Jose Vladimir R. Cagara, commander of the 6th Infantry “Kampilan” Division and Joint Task Force Central.

During the program, former gun holders who returned and surrendered their loose firearms received cash assistance, rice and livelihood support under the provincial government’s Security, Peace, Integration and Recovery (ASPIRE) program.

Catu said the destruction of the high-caliber weapons was livestreamed on social media to show the public that the surrendered firearms were indeed sawed and rendered unusable.

Local officials, including Congressman Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu, Dr. Ferdinand Buscato of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity and representatives from the PNP and other security forces, attended the activity.