AFP destroys seized firearms in Luzon

MANILA, Philippines — At least 1,561 firearms of various calibers and 55,730 magazine assemblies seized in military operations and community engagements in Luzon since 2016 were destroyed at Camp Aguinaldo yesterday.

Capt. Jonathan Zata, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Public Affairs Office chief, said the destruction and decommissioning of the guns is in line with the military’s campaign against loose firearms.

“This program will significantly reduce the number of unserviceable captured, confiscated, surrendered and recovered firearms and eventually dispose all unofficial and dilapidated weapons in the inventory,” AFP deputy chief of staff Maj. Gen. Erickson Gloria said.

The event coincided with the 12th anniversary of the AFP Munitions Control Center.

The AFP MCC is  tasked to account and destroy recovered firearms and magazines, which were determined as non-standard, obsolete and beyond economical repair.

The unit helps in the inspection and maintenance of AFP firearms and ensure the serviceability of issued weapons.

“This translates to 90 percent completion of the demilitarization program of the Army,” Gloria said.

Last year, the military seized 4,782 loose firearms in Mindanao with the assistance of local government executives, prominent political families and religious leaders.