A total 70 firearms were dismantled on August 12, 2022 at Provincial Government Complex, Dao, Pagadian City. The DILG Sectary Benjamin C. Abalos, Jr. led the dismantling of firearms together with Philippine National Police – Police Regional Office PBGEN Franco P. Simborio, Area Police Commander, Western Mindanao PMGEN Eden Ugale, Undersecretary of Local Government Mario L. Iringan, CESO III, Province of Zamboanga del Sur Governor Victor J. Yu, and Department of the Interior and Local Government IX Regional Director Paisal O. Abutazil, CESO III.

This activity is Pursuant to Executive Order No. 70 and the DILG issued Circular 2018-17 on July 5, 2018 providing for the implementation guidelines and procedures for the disposition of firearms, explosives, and ammunition (FEA) of the Formers Rebels and Militia ng Bayan. The said dismantling was facilitated by the Police Regional Office Firearms, Explosives, and Ammunition Disposal     Committee.

SILG Abalos congratulated Zamboanga Del Sur for being an insurgency-free Region since 2021 and assumed this activity is one of the success stories.

Moreover, SILG Abalos emphasized, “pagkakaisa, coordination and synergy” including the civilian, armed forces, and the PNP, to proactively end this war.  

SILG highlighted on the continuation of the campaign against communist “Ang importante is hindi yung pag surrender. Ang importante ay ang kinabukasan, na hindi sila magsisi at hindi mapaso ang ating mga programa. Improved their community and let them feel the presece of the government and inform them the real situation on the ground”. 

Further, the SILG gave emphasis on the fight on illegal drugs in coordinating of other national agencies, religious sector, academe and non-government organizations. In order to promote peace and order. 

SILG Abalos also says that “wars cannot be won by arms alone if you want to move forward, you will need two arms”. The secretary stressed always to remember that unity and coordination are the keys to ending this war. With the coordination of the other agencies, we will achieve the actual progress of the communities and, most especially, the people’s lives. ##

 

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