CAMP SIONGCO, June 20 -- Army officials and representatives of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) on Friday witnessed the ceremonial destruction of loose firearms surrendered, recovered, and captured during military operations in Maguindanao del Norte in the first half of the year.

The ceremonial destruction, held at this camp, involved the cutting of selected firearms from 685 voluntarily surrendered Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALWs) collected from various communities in Maguindanao del Norte.

"The destruction of these firearms is more than the dismantling of weapons. It is a powerful affirmation of our people's commitment to peace," Maj. Gen. Vladimir Cagara, commander of the Army's 6th Infantry Division, said in a state...