DATU ODIN SINSUAT, Maguindanao del Norte — Forty-four loose firearms were voluntarily surrendered to authorities in Datu Odin Sinsuat on August 31, 2026, as local officials, security forces and community leaders intensified efforts to reduce the presence of unlicensed weapons ahead of the first BARMM parliamentary elections.
The turnover was held at the Evacuation Center in Barangay Bitu as part of the Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Management Program, an initiative aimed at removing unauthorized firearms from communities and preventing their possible use in violence.
Representatives from 24 barangays participated in the surrender, turning over an assortment of rifles, pistols, shotguns, revolvers, submachine guns and grenade launchers. A number of the firearms were reportedly fabricated or home-made.
The surrendered weapons included four 7.62mm sniper rifles, one Caliber .30 Garand rifle, one M16 rifle, one Caliber .30 carbine, one RPG, three grenade launchers, three 9mm submachine guns, 11 12-gauge shotguns, three .45-caliber pistols, one 9mm pistol, 12 .38-caliber revolvers, one .22-caliber revolver and two 5.56mm pistols, among other firearms.
Authorities described the turnover as an important step toward reducing the number of loose firearms circulating in local communities and minimizing the potential for armed violence.
The initiative comes amid heightened security concerns following the August 15 strafing or ambush incident in Barangay Bitu involving the convoy of BARMM Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua.
The incident underscored continuing concerns over the presence of firearms in conflict-affected communities and the need for stronger cooperation among government agencies, security forces, local leaders and residents to prevent further violence.
With the September 14, 2026 BARMM parliamentary elections approaching, authorities have also emphasized the importance of removing unauthorized weapons that could potentially be used in election-related violence.
The activity was led by Lt. Col. William G. Sabado, commanding officer of the 1st Mechanized Infantry (LAKAN) Battalion, and Capt. Gomez, commanding officer of the 14th Mechanized Company.
They were joined by Datu Odin Sinsuat Mayor Abdulmain P. Abas Sr., also identified in reports as Mayor Baba Abas; Lt. Col. Sahibun Mamantal, Deputy Provincial Director for Administration of the Maguindanao del Norte Police Provincial Office; Lt. Col. Brian A. Balite, chief of the Datu Odin Sinsuat Municipal Police Station; Datukay Upam, operations officer of the Government of the Philippines-Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (GPH-CCCH); Omar Bayao, a member of the MILF-CCCH; and Mary Queenie Yassa, a COMELEC staff member.
Twenty-five barangay captains from various communities also attended the activity, while representatives from 24 barangays took part in the actual SALW surrender.
The participating barangays were Ambolodto, Bagoenged, Baka, Bitu, Bugawas, Bungued, Capiton, Dados, Dulangan, Kakar, Kenebeka, Kurintem, Labungan, Makir, Margues, Nekitan, Poblacion Dalican, Sapalan, Sifaren, Sibuto, Tambak, Tanuel, Taviran and Tenonggos.
More Than a Weapons Turnover
Lt. Col. Sabado emphasized that the voluntary surrender of firearms should not be viewed merely as the physical transfer of weapons to authorities.
He described the initiative as an expression of community cooperation and trust in efforts to strengthen peace and security.
Every firearm surrendered, he said, represents a potential threat removed from the community and another step toward creating safer communities.
The participation of numerous barangays also demonstrated the importance of local involvement in addressing the proliferation of loose firearms, particularly in areas where armed conflicts, clan disputes and other security concerns have historically posed challenges to peace and order.
Maj. Gen. Ronel R. Manalo, commander of the Philippine Army’s Armor (Pambato) Division, likewise expressed support for initiatives designed to reduce threats to peace and security.
Manalo encouraged local governments, security forces and residents to sustain their cooperation, particularly as the region prepares for the upcoming parliamentary elections.
Election Security in Focus
The voluntary surrender comes at a critical time for the Bangsamoro region, which is preparing for its first parliamentary elections on September 14, 2026.
Authorities have repeatedly emphasized the need to prevent the use of unauthorized firearms and other weapons in election-related violence. Removing loose firearms from communities is therefore being treated as one component of broader security and peacebuilding measures.
The SALW Management Program seeks to address the availability of small arms and light weapons in communities, particularly firearms that are unlicensed, unauthorized or otherwise outside lawful government control.
The presence of fabricated and home-made firearms among those surrendered also highlights the continuing challenge faced by authorities in preventing weapons from being produced and circulated outside regulated channels.
For Datu Odin Sinsuat, the surrender of 44 firearms represents a significant community-level contribution to that effort.
Rather than allowing the weapons to remain in circulation, residents and community representatives chose to turn them over to authorities, reinforcing calls for cooperation and restraint during an increasingly sensitive electoral period.
The turnover also sends a broader message that election security is not solely the responsibility of police and military personnel. Local governments, traditional and community leaders, barangay officials and residents all have a role in preventing violence and creating conditions conducive to a peaceful electoral process.
As the September 14 elections draw closer, authorities are expected to continue efforts to account for and remove loose firearms while strengthening coordination with communities.
The surrender in Barangay Bitu therefore marks more than the recovery of 44 weapons. It represents a collective effort by participating communities to reduce the availability of firearms, prevent their potential use in violence and contribute to a safe, peaceful and orderly first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro region.