The campaign against the proliferation of firearms and to discourage promotion for love of guns and violence that is being waged by the military and police, yesterday elicited support from Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra.

Navarra, who witnessed yesterday the ceremonial demilitarization of confiscated and surrendered firearms at Camp Alfredo Montelibano Sr. in Bacolod City , commended the military for initiating the activity.

“We don't need those firearms. They only inculcate violence,” the Bacolod bishop said.

Navarra also discouraged parents from promoting love for guns and violence among their children, as he noted the proliferation of toy guns in toy stores and so much violence in television programs, and in newspaper headlines.

In December last year, police confiscated about P100,000 worth of toy guns in the different public markets of Negros Occidental.

“Why (not) capitalize on something heroic that can lift up our hearts and minds, to something noble and useful in our life?” he asked

Thirty five high-powered firearms, either confiscated or surrendered to government troopers in Western and Central Visayas, were cut into pieces and burned at Camp Alfredo Montelibano Sr. in Bacolod City , witnessed by Senior Supt. Rosendo Franco, Col. Honorato de los Reyes, Calatrava Mayor Alfonso Baguio, Board Member Renato Gustilo, among others.

The destruction of the confiscated and surrendered firearms was started by Maj. Gen. Jovenal Narcise, 3 rd ID commanding general, while he was still the commander of Camp Emilio Aguinaldo in Quezon City , in 2004, and approved by then AFP chief of staff Efren Abu.

Narcise said the destruction of firearms, which was not recorded in the military inventory, was aimed at preventing the guns from being sold by unscrupulous AFP personnel to lawless elements.

De los Reyes, on the other hand, said the destruction of guns will help minimize the possible loss of lives, improvement of peace and order, strengthening confidence of the people in the AFP and PNP, among others.

Similar activities will also be held by the 3 rd ID in Cebu and Bohol next month.*GPB

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