Military destroys seized firearms

CEBU, Philippines – The Central Command destroyed 127 firearms during its 9th founding anniversary at the Camp Lapu-Lapu, Barangay Lahug, Cebu City yesterday morning.

The destroyed firearms included an M203, a grenade launcher, 15 M16s, three M14s, four garands and 24 .30 Springfields. There were also 14 Carbines, 16 shotguns and other assorted guns, including homemade ones.

The ceremonial "demilitarization" of the 127 firearms was headed by the Army Support Commander, Major Gen. Josue Gaverza, who flew over from the military headquarters in Luzon to attend the event. 

With the help of a newly acquired secular saw, goggles, an apron and mask, Gaverza in a matter of seconds split into two the first M16 riffles. Centcom Chief Lt. Gen. Ralph A. Villanueva and Deputy Commander Brig. Gen. Alejandro Estomo then followed Gaverza by splitting the rifles into five parts.

Gaverza said the "meaningful and symbolic" activity expresses the "deep commitment of the armed forces in general to attain peace and progress."

Now that the firearms were destroyed, he added, the public can rest assured that these would no longer fall into the wrong hands. 

The scrap metal from the firearms will be auctioned off to private companies.

Over 60 personnel from the Philippine Marines, Philippine Navy, Philippine Air Force and the Philippine National Police attended the activity. 

The celebration of Centcom's 9th anniversary started with a mass at 6:30 a.m. yesterday. The activities also included an awarding ceremony, a bloodletting activity, a field demonstration and games for their personnel.

In the 1980s when Central Visayas was affected by insurgency, the Armed Forces of the Philippines organized the Regional Unified Commands (RUC) as the operational headquarters for counter-insurgency operations in the Visayas in three divisions.

But due to calls for restructuring, the RUC was later renamed as the Visayas Command or VISCOM and in 2001, the Central Command.

Gaverza said there is no official announcement of a ceasefire between the government and the rebels despite the coming of Christmas.

On December 26, the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) will also celebrate its 42nd anniversary which was marked with violence and attacks against government troops in the past. 

The AFP is usually on a heightened alert during the CPP's anniversary. 

"As soldiers we are committed to maintain the peace. Within that period we cannot just relax the same holiday with our families" he added.             

Gaverza urges their troops to be cautious at all times even during Christmas and the holidays.

"Somehow we have to make sacrifices during that period…While some of us will be enjoying Christmas, the rest will be extra vigilant to watch out for anything that will destroy the spirit of Christmas," said Gaverza. (FREEMAN)