MILF turns over ‘working’ guns–general

Members of the Independent Decommissioning Body inspect the high-powered weapons turned over by the MILF. Photo from OPAPP Twitter account

SIMUAY, Sultan Kudarat – All 75 firearms handed over by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) during Tuesday’s ceremonial decommissioning rites here were all “whole and in working condition,” according to retired Army Gen. Rey Ardo, the head of government’s decommissioning body.

Ardo said the firearms the rebel group turned over included 50-caliber Barret sniper rifles and mortars.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, who arrived ahead of President Aquino, said he hoped that more disarmament rites would follow.

The decommissioning and turnover of firearms are part of the peace agreement signed by the MILF and the administration of President Benigno Aquino III.

Security was tight around the old Maguindanao provincial capitol here, where the ceremonial turnover was held, with the heavy deployment of soldiers and MILF forces in their respective uniforms.