Butuan City, 3 December 2025 – In a landmark gesture of trust and reconciliation, members of Indigenous Peoples (IP) communities in CADT 135 voluntarily surrendered firearms and ammunition to the Philippine Army, underscoring the success of the recent IP Peace and Healing Summit.
The handover occurred on 30 November 2025 in two separate incidents at Sitio Mandalayag, Barangay Pianing, and Sitio Patagon, Barangay Anticala. The Mobile Community Sustainment Support Team (MCSST) of the 48th (Guardians) Infantry Battalion received the surrendered weapons, which included:
- One (1) M1 Carbine rifle (.30 caliber) with magazine
- One (1) .45 caliber pistol with magazine and five rounds
- One (1) improvised shotgun
- Three (3) rounds of 12-gauge ammunition
- Nine (9) rounds of 5.56mm linked ammunition
The voluntary surrender highlights the growing confidence of IP communities in government forces and reflects the positive outcomes of the Peace and Healing Summit held on 23 November 2025. The summit brought together tribal leaders, former armed group members, and security forces to foster dialogue, healing, and community unity.
“The handover of these war materials demonstrates the impact of peaceful engagement and the willingness of communities to work with government authorities,” said a spokesperson of the 48th Infantry Battalion.
The Army unit emphasized its continued commitment to protecting ancestral lands, supporting IP communities, and maintaining lasting peace through cooperation and partnership. Officials hailed the event as a significant step toward a safer and more harmonious environment for the region’s indigenous populations.