ZAMBOANGA CITY – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the destruction of 550 loose firearms at the Sampinit Complex in Sumisip, Basilan on Saturday, March 2.

PRESIDENT Marcos, with Basilan Gov. Jim Salliman Hataman, inspects loose firearms in Basilan prior to their destruction on Saturday. (Photo via Liza Jocson)
The destroyed weapons – composed of 311 high-powered and 239 low-powered guns – was a result of the province's campaign to round up and recover loose firearms.
Marcos commended the Basilan provincial government, the military, and residents for rejecting violence in favor of peace.
He said that Basilan arrived at the juncture of its proud history because it refused to continue to be a place of violence.
Gov. Jim Salliman Hataman thanked Marcos for joining the the people of Basilan in the destruction activity, also considered as one of the major activities during the celebration of the province's 50th founding anniversary and Pakaradjaan Festival.
"The prospect of peace in Basilan was difficult to imagine decades ago due to the proliferation of firearms and the presence of many armed groups,” Hataman said, but added that strong support from various sectors far outweigh the criticisms experienced by the province.
The activity was also attended by European Union Ambassador Luc Veron, Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity chief Carlito Galvez, Defense Secretary Gibo Teodoro, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao head Ahod Ebrahim, and military and PNP officers.