Siasi, Sulu Takes Major Step Toward Peace, Declared Rido-Free and Gun-Free Municipality
SIASI, SULU, Philippines — In a significant breakthrough for peace and community security in one of the country’s historically conflict-affected areas, the Municipality of Siasi in Sulu has been officially declared a Rido-Free and Gun-Free Municipality and Peace-Centered Community, marking what local and national leaders described as a turning point toward long-term stability and development.
The declaration was formalized on February 8, 2026, during a ceremony held at the Laminusa Island Covered Court in Barangay Kongkong. The initiative was jointly led by the 11th Infantry Division, through the 104th Infantry Battalion under the 1102nd Infantry Brigade, in close coordination with the Local Government Unit of Siasi and the Sulu Police Provincial Office.
Local officials said the declaration represents the culmination of years of confidence-building measures, conflict mediation, and sustained community engagement aimed at ending rido—a form of clan-based feuding that has long disrupted peace, displaced families, and hindered economic growth in parts of Sulu.
The declaration was formalized through a municipal resolution read by Vice Mayor Arnashrif M. Muksan, affirming Siasi’s collective commitment to public safety, nonviolence, and peaceful conflict resolution. The ceremony was attended by key military and police officials, municipal and barangay leaders, religious figures, representatives from the academe, and peace partners who have worked quietly and consistently to heal divisions within the community.
Among the senior officials present were Maj. Gen. Leonardo I. Peña, Commander of the 11th Infantry Division and Joint Task Force Orion; Brig. Gen. Alaric Avelino P. Delos Santos, Commander of the 1102nd Infantry Brigade; and Lt. Col. Roy R. Dalumpines, Commanding Officer of the 104th Infantry Battalion.
Mayor Ben-Sayeed Muksan, represented during the event by Municipal Councilor Juruppin Punguntan, expressed gratitude to barangay leaders, religious elders, educators, and security forces for what he described as “a shared and sustained effort to put the welfare of the people above division.” He emphasized that the declaration did not happen overnight, but was the result of continuous dialogue, mediation, and trust-building among families and sectors that once stood on opposing sides.
The mayor also highlighted the role of the 104th Infantry Battalion in maintaining close engagement with communities, noting that peace efforts were anchored not only on security operations, but on listening to grievances, facilitating dialogue, and supporting local mechanisms for conflict resolution.
In his message, Brig. Gen. Delos Santos underscored that peace and security cannot be imposed solely by force. “This milestone was achieved because the people themselves chose peace,” he said, stressing that security initiatives are most effective when communities take ownership of their role in maintaining harmony and order.
Maj. Gen. Peña echoed this sentiment, describing the declaration as a conscious and collective choice by the people of Siasi to break away from cycles of violence that have affected previous generations. He emphasized that peace is essential to development, noting that communities free from fear and armed conflict are better positioned to attract investment, improve education, and deliver basic services.
“This achievement must be protected,” Peña said, urging residents, local leaders, and institutions to sustain cooperation and vigilance to ensure that peace gains are not reversed. He added that the true measure of success would be whether future generations grow up without experiencing the conflicts that once defined their communities.
A symbolic highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of previously surrendered firearms, a visible sign of the community’s resolve to keep Siasi free from armed violence. Officials said the voluntary surrender of weapons reflected growing trust between residents and authorities, as well as confidence in peaceful mechanisms for resolving disputes.
Local leaders described the declaration as both an end and a beginning—an end to long-standing feuds and fear, and a beginning of a new chapter focused on unity, development, and shared responsibility. They expressed hope that Siasi’s experience could serve as a model for other municipalities in Sulu and across the Bangsamoro region still grappling with clan conflicts and loose firearms.
As Siasi moves forward as a declared rido-free and gun-free municipality, stakeholders said the challenge now lies in sustaining peace through continuous dialogue, inclusive governance, and opportunities that allow communities to reap the dividends of stability they have collectively worked to achieve. ©️KuryenteNews