THE Philippine National Police headed by General Benjamin C. Acorda Jr. will continue to convert seized guns into farming tools to prevent these weapons from being stolen and ‘recycled.’

Last month, Acorda, joined by PNP Director for Logistics, Major Gen. Mario A. Reyes, led the ceremonial destruction of 7,612 captured, confiscated, surrendered, deposited, abandoned and forfeited firearms, also known as CCSDAF-TPPF.

The demilitarization event held at the Camp Crame grandstand was aimed at preventing the unauthorized use of firearms.

The process involved the cutting of individual steel pieces using a circular saw, rendering the firearms permanently inoperable. These stringent measures guarantee that these firearms can never be used again for unauthorized purposes.

The PNP Logistics Support Service headed by Brigadier Gen. Roderick D. Minong, which is the main PNP unit responsible for the disposal of all Beyond Economic Repair (BER) PNP properties, oversaw the demilitarization process.

It began with an extensive inventory and technical inspection of the 25,476 units of CCSDAF from February 8, 2021 to January 25, 2022.

Subsequently, demilitarization activities were carried out in several batches. The first batch demilitarized 6,338 units, followed by 5,000 units in the second batch and 6,526 units in the third batch.

During the event, Acorda mentioned the importance of demilitarization and its main goal of thwarting any future illicit use of firearms.

“By destroying these weapons, we completely eliminate any possibility of them falling into the hands of criminals and being used as instruments of violence. Our intention is not to erase their history, but to repurpose their existence for the betterment of our society,” he said.

In adherence to PNP policies and guidelines on property disposal, the scrap and waste materials resulting from the demilitarization process will be disposed of through a public bidding process.

The proceeds generated from the auction will be deposited in the PNP Thrust Receipt Account. These funds will be utilized to support the various plans and programs of the PNP organization, further strengthening law enforcement capabilities and promoting public safety.

Last October 25, the PNP also destroyed a total of 6,526 firearms to prevent them from being recycled.

The program is part of the PNP’s gun control measures to keep firearms off the hands of criminal elements and unauthorized individuals..

Under PNP Memorandum Circular No. 2017-017, the destruction of BER firearms is an allowable method of disposal if these are already unsaleable and may pose a hazard to the public if not destroyed.