Military to destroy 600 firearms seized in Marawi

President Rodrigo Duterte will witness on Wednesday the demilitarization of some 600  firearms recovered by government troops in Marawi City, where they battled with Maute terrorists for five months.

Lieutenant Colonel Ray Tiongson, Philippine Army spokesperson, said the 652 firearms will be destroyed at the Army headquarters using a road roller vehicle.

“So ang gagawin dun ay dadaanan ng road roller vehicle, 'yung pison, then puputulin 'yun ng metal bound circular saw,” he said Tuesday.

He said the firearms include heavy and light armalites, rocket-propelled grenades, and sniper rifles.

Tiongson said Wednesday's activity will only be "ceremonial," noting that the military follows a process in weapon disposal.

“May procedure pa 'yan for disposal. Meron kasing mga direct policies or directives 'yung Armed Forces kung paano siya i-dispose. So bukas is ceremonial demilitarization ang gagawin,” he said.

He said the demilitarized firearms will be burned and the residues and scraps will be disposed of.

Asked why don’t they just distribute the firearms to CAFGU members, Tiongson said the government have other firearms that will be issued to them.

“Hindi, meron tayong firearm na issue sa CAFGU, kelangan i-demilitarize ito,” he said, referring to the firearms seized in Marawi City. —KBK, GMA News