ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command, through the 9th Forward Service Support Unit (FSSU), demilitarized 436 firearms in Camp Arturo Enrile here on Tuesday, Oct. 18.
The firearms captured, confiscated, surrendered, and recovered from various operations by the military were cut and burned to ensure that these would no longer be reused nor recycled.
Brig. Gen. Arturo Rojas, acting commander of the Western Mindanao Command, said the demilitarization of firearms is an attestation of the Philippine Army’s commitment to the Armed Forces’ mission to maintain peace and order and protect the citizens against violence and extremism.
Rojas commended the officers and enlisted personnel of the 9FSSU for leading the activity.
The demilitarization was witnessed by Rojas, Zamboanga City Mayor John Dalipe, Municipal Administrator Arsina Nanoh of Hadji Muhtamad, Basilan; Col. Randolph Rojas, commander of Joint Task Force Zamboanga; Col. Fernando Dulawan, vice chairperson of the disposal committee; Col. Alexander Lorenzo, Zamboanga City Police Office chief; Col. Roel Velasquez, group commander, 2nd LSG; Lt. Col. Abdurasad Sirajan, chief, Public Information Office, Wesmincom; Lt. Col. Bernard Samien, commander, 4th SF Battalion; and Ronniel Enriquez, Auditor III, COA-RO9.