The destruction of the firearms is part of the Basilan Provincial Government’s Small Arms and Light Weapons Management (SALW) Program, which “seeks to reduce, if not eradicate small arms and light weapons, and prevent crimes in communities.”

“When we talk about peace, that doesn’t only mean a cessation of violence,” Marcos Jr. told reporters on the sidelines of the event.

“What it also means is that we continue… to all work together to ensure that the livelihood and the progress come to Basilan and all of the other provinces who were once areas of conflict,” he said.

The Commander-in-Chief also led the ceremonial distribution of 8 motorcycles to former rebels and gun owners as a means of support to their livelihoods.

“It is a very clear landmark on the progress we have been making in bringing peace to Southern Philippines,” Marcos Jr. said, noting that he is the “first President to be able to come” to the “ground zero” of terrorist fighting in the Southern Philippines.

PNP considering amnesty for loose firearms

Similar programs to collect and destroy loose firearms are also ongoing in other parts of the country, he said.

“We are still trying to bring those who are still fighters to come down from the mountains and join society,” he said.

“We, for our part, will continue to support everything that they need in terms of housing, livelihood, schools, infrastructure. That’s the role we will play,” he said.

The President also met with Bangsamoro governors to discuss their plan of “coming together to formalize an alliance.”

While an alliance is already existing, the Bangsamoro governors want “to make it very clear the support that the governors will bring to the autonomous government, to BARMM,” he said.

“That is also another important step in the continuing road to peace,” he added.

Meantime, when asked about the national government’s plan to address the effects of El Niño in Mindanao, the President said “Mindanao has a different type of El Niño.”

“Up in Luzon and Visayas, especially Western Visayas, we have a very, very large effect of drying up and water supply,” he said.

“Dito naman sa south ay nagkakabaha naman tayo so we have to have a different response,” he said.

“We are trying to develop the livelihood, the agri fisheries. All of these things will need a good supply of fresh water, irrigation… that infrastructure we will now have to start to build,” he said.