Police Chief Antonio Segundo Imbert Tesson handed over 1,142 firearms that were confiscated from people not authorized to carry them. Another 109 weapons were handed in as part of the goods for arms program promoted by the Catholic Church of Santo Domingo and Dominican businessman Fernando Mateo. The Goods for Arms program took place during the first week of January, and while the number of guns surrendered fell below expectations, organizations feel the scheme was a success because it is a good start for the year of disarmament and non-violence declared by President Balaguer.
Cardinal Nicolas de Jesus Lopez Rodriguez, who
had an important role in the organization of the arms for toys campaign, urged
citizens to continue to give up their firearms even after the Epiphany, and
praised the efforts of businessman Fernando Mateo who sponsored the scheme, as
well as the cooperation of celebrities such as Isha and Fernando Villalona.
Mr. Mateo, who lives in New York, said he shared the opinion of Cardinal Lopez Rodriguez, who suggested that this type of campaign should be extended throughout Latin America, “where people are tired of bloodshed”.
19-25 January 1996