TAPUL, Sulu — Sustained peacebuilding efforts in this island municipality continue to gain traction as a total of seven firearms have been voluntarily surrendered under the government’s intensified campaign to establish Rido-Free, Gun-Free, and Peace-Centered Communities.
The latest handover, conducted on March 30, 2026, marked another milestone in the initiative led by the 104th Infantry “Para sa Bayan” Battalion under the 1102nd Infantry “Ganarul” Brigade of the 11th Infantry “Alakdan” Division, Philippine Army.
Lt. Col. Roy R. Dalumpines, Commanding Officer of the 104th Infantry Battalion, reported that at around 2:00 p.m., troops from Bravo Company, led by 1st Lt. Jaythron Dumaga, facilitated the turnover of high-powered firearms in coordination with the Tapul Municipal Police Station.
Among the items surrendered were one M1 Garand rifle with a magazine and six rounds of live ammunition, as well as one 40mm M203 grenade launcher. The firearms were turned over in Barangays Kaumaungi and Pagatpat.
Dalumpines emphasized that the weapons were voluntarily handed over by civilians and formally presented through local leaders—Barangay Chairman Nurhana D. Undog of Kaumaungi and Barangay Chairman Abdulhamid A. Muhajil of Pagatpat—signaling strong grassroots support for the campaign.
“This reflects a growing sense of responsibility and trust among community members in our shared goal of achieving lasting peace,” Dalumpines said.
Brig. Gen. Alaric Avelino P. Delos Santos, Commander of the 1102nd Infantry Brigade, commended residents and stakeholders for their cooperation, noting that the steady increase in voluntary firearm surrender is a clear indicator of public confidence in the government’s peace initiatives.
“These developments show that our communities are embracing the vision of a peaceful and conflict-free Sulu. We remain committed to sustaining this momentum and expanding these gains across the province,” he said.
For his part, Maj. Gen. Leonardo I. Peña, Commander of the 11th Infantry Division and Joint Task Force Orion, underscored that the continued handover of loose firearms demonstrates the effectiveness of the government’s whole-of-nation approach in addressing the root causes of armed conflict.
He highlighted that beyond disarmament, the initiative strengthens internal security, fosters community resilience, and supports the broader transition toward external defense priorities.
The series of voluntary firearm surrenders in Tapul underscores a shifting landscape in Sulu, where communities are increasingly taking an active role in rejecting violence and promoting stability—an encouraging sign for long-term peace in the region.