PANGLIMA ESTINO, Sulu — The Municipality of Panglima Estino in the Province of Sulu has been formally declared a Rido-Free, Gun-Free, and Peace-Centered Community, as well as a locality that has achieved Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS), during a ceremonial program held in the municipality attended by local government officials, security sector representatives, and community stakeholders, according to a statement authenticated by Maj. Genesis S. Dizon of the 11th Infantry "Alakdan" Division Public Affairs Office.
The milestone declaration represents the collective commitment of the local government unit, security forces, religious leaders, and residents in resolving clan feuds known as "rido," preventing the proliferation of loose firearms, and fostering a safe and secure environment conducive to development and progress in Panglima Estino.
Formal Ceremony Marks Historic Turning Point for Panglima Estino
The declaration ceremony featured several symbolic activities that underscored the community's transition toward sustained peace. These included the unveiling of an official peace declaration marker, the signing of a peace covenant by key stakeholders, and a symbolic dove release representing unity, reconciliation, and enduring peace for the people of Panglima Estino.
Sulu Provincial Governor Abdusakur A. Tan II served as the Guest of Honor and Speaker during the event, lending the weight of provincial leadership to the occasion. His presence signaled strong support from the highest level of local civilian governance for the peacebuilding gains achieved in the municipality.
Among the other key officials present at the ceremony were Municipal Mayor Benshar S. Estino and Municipal Vice Mayor Morsid M. Estino of Panglima Estino, alongside senior military and police officials who played central roles in the peace process leading up to the declaration.
Senior Military and Police Officials Attend the Declaration Program
The security sector was prominently represented at the ceremony. Col. Alex H. Gagula, Deputy Brigade Commander of the 1102nd Infantry Brigade, attended alongside PLt. Col. Kris Conrad M. Gutierrez, Deputy Provincial Director for Operations of the Sulu Provincial Police Office (PPO).
Lt. Col. Ronald A. Borras, Commanding Officer of the 21st Infantry Battalion, was also present at the event. The battalion has been among the military units operationally engaged in maintaining security and supporting peace efforts across Sulu.
Their collective attendance at the declaration ceremony reflected the coordinated civil-military-police approach that authorities say has been instrumental in bringing Panglima Estino to its current state of stability.
11ID Commander Cites Collaborative Peacebuilding as Key to Sulu's Progress
In his message delivered during the ceremony, Maj. Gen. Leonardo I. Peña, Commander of the 11th Infantry "Alakdan" Division and Joint Task Force Orion, commended what he described as the unwavering support and cooperation of local government units, community leaders, and security forces in achieving peace and stability in the municipality.
According to the statement from the 11th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office, Maj. Gen. Peña emphasized that the declaration reflects the success of collaborative peacebuilding efforts that have transformed Sulu from a province once associated with conflict into a place now recognized for its improving peace and security situation.
The general's remarks acknowledged the long road that Sulu — a province that for decades had been at the center of armed conflict, clan violence, and extremism in the southern Philippines — has traveled to reach this point. His message framed the declaration not as an endpoint, but as a product of sustained and coordinated effort among all sectors of society.
Governor Tan Urges Continued Unity to Preserve Peace Gains
Governor Tan, in his own address to the gathering, lauded the people of Panglima Estino for their unity, cooperation, and commitment to peace. According to the 11th Infantry Division statement, he underscored the importance of sustaining harmony and strengthening partnerships among all stakeholders to preserve and build upon the gains already achieved.
Governor Tan's remarks carried particular significance given the broader context of Sulu's peace trajectory. The province has seen a series of similar declarations across multiple municipalities in recent years, and the governor has been a consistent advocate for community-driven peace processes as a complement to security operations.
His call for continued vigilance and cooperation served as a reminder that peace declarations, while symbolically important, require ongoing commitment from all sectors — government, military, police, religious groups, and ordinary residents — to be meaningful and lasting.
Panglima Estino Joins a Growing List of Sulu Municipalities Achieving SIPS Status
According to the 11th Infantry Division's statement, the declaration in Panglima Estino follows similar peace declarations in several other municipalities across Sulu, reflecting a broader and continuing progress of the province toward sustained peace and development.
The Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS) classification is a formal designation used by the Philippine government and security sector to identify areas that have achieved a sufficient level of peace and order to allow for the transition of primary responsibility from military forces to civilian authorities and local government units.
Achieving SIPS status typically follows a period of sustained reduction in armed incidents, successful resolution of community conflicts, and the disarmament or neutralization of threat groups operating in the area. The designation is meant to signal that a community has moved beyond active conflict management and toward development-oriented governance.
The series of peace declarations across Sulu municipalities represents a significant shift from the situation that prevailed in the province for much of the past several decades, during which Sulu was among the most conflict-affected provinces in the Philippines due to the presence of armed groups and persistent clan-based violence.
Rido Resolution and Firearms Reduction Among Core Benchmarks
Central to the declaration in Panglima Estino are two specific benchmarks: the resolution of "rido," or clan feuds, and the elimination of loose firearms from the community. Both have historically been among the most persistent drivers of violence in Sulu and across Muslim Mindanao more broadly.
Rido — a deeply rooted tradition of retaliatory clan conflict in parts of Muslim Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago — has historically perpetuated cycles of violence that are distinct from politically or ideologically motivated armed conflict. Addressing rido requires community engagement, mediation by respected leaders, and the active participation of religious and local authorities alongside government and security forces.
The gun-free component of the declaration addresses the proliferation of loose firearms, which has long been identified by security authorities as a key enabler of both rido violence and armed group activity. Reducing the presence of unlicensed and unregistered firearms is considered a critical step in normalizing peace and ensuring that community disputes are resolved through dialogue rather than armed confrontation.
Declaration Seen as Testament to Whole-of-Community Approach
The 11th Infantry Division's statement described the declaration as "another testament to the continuing efforts of the government, security sector, and local communities in promoting peace, security, and development throughout the Province of Sulu."
The phrasing reflects the whole-of-government and whole-of-community framework that has been emphasized by both the Armed Forces of the Philippines and civilian authorities in addressing the root causes of conflict in Sulu, rather than relying solely on military operations to restore order.
With Panglima Estino now formally recognized as a Rido-Free, Gun-Free, and Peace-Centered Community, attention among local officials and security forces is expected to shift toward consolidating the gains achieved and ensuring that the conditions for peace are sustained over the long term. Community development programs, continued engagement with local leaders, and the sustained presence of peace-oriented governance structures are expected to form the foundation of post-declaration efforts in the municipality.
Photo credit: Photo courtesy of 11th Infantry "Alakdan" Division, Philippine Army