Guns to gardens: PNP smashes defective firearms to reforge into farm tools

Photo from the Philippine National Police

MANILA, Philippines — Authorities destroyed over 7,000 defective firearms in Quezon City, as they plan to recast the broken weapons into essential farming tools, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Tuesday.

According to the police force, a total of 7,617 unserviceable weapons, categorized as captured, confiscated, surrendered, deposited, abandoned, and forfeited-turned PNP property firearms (CCSDAF-TPPF), were destroyed in Camp Crame on July 17.

PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. led the demilitarization event, which involved cutting individual weapons’ steel pieces using a circular saw so they could never be used for unauthorized purposes.

“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,” Acorda said in a statement.

“This ceremony signifies our determination to create a safer environment for our communities. It is a clear message to those who wish to disrupt our peace and stability that we are relentless in our pursuit of justice. The removal of these firearms from circulation reinforces our resolve to protect our citizens, maintain law and order, and ultimately build a peaceful society,” he added.

The more than 7,000 defective firearms were the fourth and last batch destroyed among the 25,476 CCSDAF units inspected from February 8, 2021, to January 25, 2022.

PNP said the first batch demilitarized 6,338 units, followed by 5,000 units and 6,526 units.

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JPV/abc