Five firearms were voluntarily surrendered by civilians in separate engagements across two Sulu municipalities from April 3 to 6, 2026, marking significant progress in the campaign toward Rido-Free, Gun-Free, and Peace-Centered Communities (GFPCC) in the province.
The weapon handovers occurred in the municipalities of Tapul and Panamao, facilitated by troops from the 104th Infantry "Para sa Bayan" Battalion and the 21st Infantry "Invincible" Battalion in coordination with local police stations and barangay officials.
Tapul Municipality Records Three Firearm Surrenders
Lt. Col. Roy R. Dalumpines, Commanding Officer of the 104th Infantry "Para sa Bayan" Battalion, reported that the first handover took place on April 3 at the Municipal Hall of Tapul. Troops from Bravo Company, led by 1st Lt. Jaythron L. Dumaga, worked alongside the Tapul Municipal Police Station to facilitate the surrender.
Two firearms were turned over during the April 3 ceremony: one M1 Garand rifle and one 9mm pistol, both with defaced serial numbers. The weapons were presented by Barangay Chairpersons Hon. Jurmiya J. Daud of Brgy Sayli and Hon. Mohsin L. Alih of Brgy Tangkapaan.
A second handover occurred on April 5 at the same venue, involving the same military unit and police station. Barangay Chairman Hon. Abdel Nasser Anni Daud of Brgy Kalang facilitated the surrender of one caliber .45 pistol with defaced serial number, accompanied by two rounds of live ammunition.
Panamao Contributes Two Additional Weapons
In Panamao municipality, Lt. Col. Ronald A. Borras, Commanding Officer of the 21st Infantry "Invincible" Battalion, oversaw two separate handover ceremonies. Troops from Charlie Company, led by 1st Lt. Tom Troy B. Tanzo, coordinated the initiatives with local officials.
The first Panamao handover took place on April 5 in Barangay Lakit, where one caliber .45 pistol was surrendered through the initiative of Barangay Chairman Hon. Benhar O. Muddakir in coordination with barangay officials.
On April 6, 2026, another successful surrender occurred in Barangay Kamalig, Panamao. One high-powered Caliber .30 M1 US Carbine with serial number 932667 was voluntarily handed over by a civilian. The handover was facilitated by Barangay Chairperson Hon. Hja. Myrna Badiri, working with the barangay council and personnel from the Panamao Municipal Police Station.
Military Leadership Praises Community Participation
Brig. Gen. Alaric Avelino P. Delos Santos, Commander of the 1102nd Infantry "Ganarul" Brigade, highlighted the significance of the increasing voluntary firearm surrenders. He emphasized that the trend reflects growing community trust and ownership of peace initiatives across the province.
The brigade commander noted that civilian participation in weapons surrender programs demonstrates a shift in community attitudes toward conflict resolution and public safety.
Division Commander Emphasizes Collaborative Approach
Maj. Gen. Leonardo I. Peña, Commander of the 11th Infantry "Alakdan" Division and Joint Task Force Orion, commended both military personnel and community stakeholders for their collaborative efforts in the peace campaign.
"Lasting peace is achieved when communities themselves take part in securing it. These voluntary handovers show that the people of Sulu are choosing peace and stability," Maj. Gen. Peña concluded.
The division commander underscored the vital role of community participation in achieving sustainable peace and security outcomes in the region.
Multi-Agency Coordination Framework
The successful firearm surrenders demonstrate effective coordination between multiple agencies and stakeholders. The Armed Forces of the Philippines worked closely with the Philippine National Police through municipal police stations in both Tapul and Panamao.
Local government officials, particularly barangay chairpersons, played crucial roles in facilitating the handovers and encouraging civilian participation. The involvement of barangay councils provided additional community-level support for the peace initiatives.
Municipal halls served as neutral venues for the formal handover ceremonies, emphasizing the official nature of the peace campaign and providing secure locations for the weapons transfer process.
GFPCC Campaign Gains Momentum
The series of voluntary surrenders represents concrete progress in the broader Rido-Free, Gun-Free, and Peace-Centered Communities campaign being implemented across Sulu province. The initiative aims to reduce the availability of illegal firearms that could potentially fuel conflicts or criminal activities.
Military officials noted that the voluntary nature of the surrenders indicates growing community buy-in for peace and development initiatives. The program provides civilians with safe, legal channels to dispose of unauthorized weapons without fear of prosecution.
The campaign addresses multiple aspects of community security, including the elimination of clan conflicts (rido), reduction of illegal firearms circulation, and promotion of peaceful conflict resolution mechanisms.
Provincial Peace and Development Impact
The firearm handovers highlight the strengthening cooperation among communities, local government units, law enforcement agencies, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines in advancing sustainable peace and development across Sulu province.
Military leaders emphasized that such community-driven initiatives create positive momentum for broader peace and development programs in the region. The voluntary surrenders demonstrate civilian willingness to support government efforts to establish lasting security and stability.
The multi-day series of handovers across different municipalities indicates that the peace campaign has gained traction beyond individual communities, suggesting potential for expansion to additional areas within the province.
Photo credit: Photo courtesy of Armed Forces of the Philippines