TUKURAN, Zamboanga del Sur — Residents of this coastal municipality demonstrated a strong commitment to peace and public safety after voluntarily surrendering dozens of loose firearms and explosives to government forces on February 23, 2026.
A total of 40 assorted firearms and several explosive devices were turned over to the Philippine Army through the 53rd Infantry (MATAPAT) Battalion of the 1st Infantry Division (TABAK) during a ceremony held at the municipal town hall. The activity forms part of the unit’s ongoing Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Management Program aimed at reducing the circulation of unregistered and high-powered weapons in communities.
Authorities said the surrendered items included one rocket-propelled grenade (RPG); one 40mm M79 grenade launcher with a defaced serial number; two 7.62mm M14 rifles; two caliber .30 M1 carbines; seven M1 Garand rifles; two KG9 submachine guns; two Ingram submachine guns; one semi-automatic shotgun (SAS-12); fifteen caliber .45 pistols; two 12-gauge bolt-action shotguns; and five caliber .38 revolvers.
Also turned over were eight hand grenades, two rifle grenades, one quarter-pound stick of high explosive TNT, and four rounds of M203 live ammunition.
Military officials said the voluntary surrender reflects the growing cooperation between local communities and security forces in addressing the proliferation of illegal firearms and strengthening peace initiatives in the area.
The turnover ceremony was attended by Brig. Gen. Samuel G. Yunque, commander of the 102nd (IGSOON) Brigade; Lt. Col. Rolando E. Vargas Jr., commander of the 53rd Infantry (MATAPAT) Battalion; and Police Col. Bonifacio A. Arañas Jr., provincial director of the Zamboanga del Sur Police Provincial Office.
Local government officials were also present, led by Tukuran Mayor Macario V. Tingson, members of the Sangguniang Bayan, barangay officials, and Christine Baroro representing the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity.
In a statement, the 53rd Infantry Battalion commended the residents of Tukuran for their decisive action, emphasizing that community cooperation plays a crucial role in maintaining security and preventing violence.
The military added that the continued implementation of the SALW Management Program aims to encourage more communities to turn over unlicensed firearms, helping build safer and more stable localities across the province.