Isabela City, Basilan – In a significant show of unity and commitment to peace, a total of 61 assorted loose firearms were formally surrendered on April 9, 2025, by the Local Government Units (LGUs) of Isabela and Lamitan City, along with the municipalities of Tuburan, Akbar, Sumisip, Maluso, Lantawan, Tabuan-Lasa, and Hadji Muhtamad.
The ceremonial turnover, held at Camp Luis Biel II in Barangay Tabiawan, Isabela City, was led by Brigadier General Alvin V. Luzon, Commander of the 101st Infantry (Three Red Arrows) Brigade, and Basilan Governor Jim Hataman-Salliman. The activity was conducted through the Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Management Program—a key peace initiative aimed at reducing the proliferation of illegal firearms in the province.
Since the program’s rollout in March 2024, authorities have collected a total of 325 loose firearms, both high-powered and low-powered, which are now slated for demilitarization. This forms part of the province’s preparations for its formal declaration as an Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG)-Free Province—a historic milestone in Basilan’s peace and security roadmap.
The SALW Program is being implemented by the 101st Infantry Brigade in partnership with the Provincial Government of Basilan and national peace agencies. It aligns with the normalization track of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), and is supported by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU), alongside other peace partners.
A notable milestone of the program was reached in July 2024, with the turnover of 172 firearms and the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between the Basilan Provincial Government, OPAPRU, and key stakeholders. The event, themed “Buwah nen Kasanyangan” (Fruits of Peace in Yakan), symbolized the collective efforts to institutionalize peace across the province.
Further reinforcing this peace effort is the ASPIRE Project (Assistance for Security, Peace, Integration, and Recovery), which provides livelihood support to former firearm holders. This program helps reintegrate individuals into peaceful civilian life through economic opportunities and community-based support.
Brig. Gen. Luzon credited the success of the recent turnover to the close collaboration between the 101st Infantry Brigade and its operational control units—18th Infantry Battalion, 4th Special Forces Battalion, 45th Infantry Battalion, and 32nd Infantry Battalion—as well as various local and national stakeholders.
“This turnover reflects the unwavering commitment of our troops and partners to reduce armed violence and promote lasting peace in Basilan,” said Luzon. “We continue to urge all sectors of society to support the SALW Program as we move closer to realizing a safer, more progressive, and ASG-free Basilan.”
The upcoming demilitarization of the surrendered firearms will serve not only as a symbolic step but as a concrete measure toward normalcy and security in a province once deeply affected by armed conflict.