AFP destroys loose firearms

This translates to the 90 percent completion of the demilitarization program of the Philippine Army.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines yesterday destroyed thousands of firearms and magazine assemblies at the military’s General Supply Unit in Camp Aguinaldo.

The destruction of the 1,561 firearms and 55,730 magazine assemblies was part of the 12th anniversary celebration of the AFP Munitions Control Center (MCC) and is aimed at curbing the proliferation of illegal and loose firearms nationwide.

The MCC is a unit of the military primarily tasked in the accounting and destruction of CCSR firearms and magazines, which were determined as non-standard, obsolete, and beyond economical repair and were either captured, confiscated, surrendered and recovered (CCSR) through legitimate military operations and community engagements.

It also helps AFP units inspect and maintain their firearms and ensure the serviceability of their issued weapons.

“This program will significantly reduce the number of unserviceable CCSR firearms and eventually dispose all unofficial and dilapidated weapons in the inventory of the AFP,” said Vice Admiral Gaudencio Collado Jr., AFP Vice Chief of Staff, as read by Deputy Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Erickson Gloria.

“This translates to the 90 percent completion of the demilitarization program of the Philippine Army. Likewise, I would like to commend the AFP MCC for this successful demilitarization,” Collado’s statement furthered.

CCSR firearms and their various accessories go through a process of identification and verification.

Those not destroyed are turned over to the proper authorities, while firearms with defaced serial numbers are subjected to verification to determine their ownership.

The AFP has an ongoing campaign to recover loose firearms as part of efforts to prevent and counter violent extremism in the country.

Last year, a total of 4,782 assorted unlicensed firearms were confiscated with the help of local government executives, prominent political families and religious leaders in Mindanao.