KALINGALAN CALUANG, Sulu — Efforts to make communities in Sulu rido-free and gun-free continued to gain momentum after a civilian voluntarily surrendered a high-powered firearm to government troops in Barangay Pang, Kalingalan Caluang, on September 3, 2026.
The voluntary hand-over of the firearm, an M1 Garand rifle, was facilitated by soldiers of the 21st Infantry “Invincible” Battalion (21IB) as part of continuing peace and security initiatives under the Rido-Free, Gun-Free, and Peace-Centered Communities (RFGFPCC) Campaign.
Lt. Col. Ronald Borras, commanding officer of the 21IB, said personnel of Alpha Company, led by 1st Lt. Tom Troy B. Tanzo, facilitated the peaceful turnover at around 2 p.m. on Thursday.
The firearm was subsequently placed under the custody of Alpha Company, 21IB, for proper safekeeping and disposition.
The Army said the latest surrender reflects the continuing impact of its community-based peace and security efforts, particularly its engagement with residents and coordination with municipal and barangay local government officials.
“This reflects the growing trust and cooperation of the community in our collective peace efforts. Every firearm voluntarily removed from the community helps reduce the risk of armed violence and contributes to sustaining peace in Kalingalan Caluang,” Borras said.
Community engagement drives voluntary surrender
Rather than relying solely on law enforcement operations, the RFGFPCC Campaign promotes cooperation among local governments, security forces, barangay officials and communities to address the presence of loose firearms and prevent armed conflicts.
For the 21IB, sustained dialogue and engagement with communities and local government units have been central to encouraging civilians to voluntarily surrender firearms.
The latest turnover adds to the campaign’s efforts to reduce the availability of firearms that could potentially be used in clan conflicts, personal disputes and other forms of armed violence.
Army officials have repeatedly emphasized that voluntary surrender is an important component of the broader peace-building strategy because it allows communities to address the risks posed by firearms through cooperation rather than confrontation.
Brig. Gen. Alaric Avelino P. Delos Santos, commander of the 1102nd Infantry “Ganarul” Brigade, commended the 21IB, local government officials, barangay leaders and community stakeholders for maintaining the momentum of the campaign.
“The continuing voluntary hand-over of firearms shows that our LGU-led, security sector-supported, and community-based approach is producing tangible results,” Delos Santos said.
He stressed that the significance of the firearm surrender extends beyond the removal of one weapon from the community, saying it also demonstrates a shared willingness among residents and stakeholders to prevent disputes from escalating into violence.
“More importantly, it reflects the shared commitment of our communities to resolve differences peacefully and keep firearms away from conflicts,” he said.
Part of broader peace effort in Sulu
The 1102nd Infantry Brigade said it will continue working with partner local government units and other stakeholders to sustain the RFGFPCC Campaign across Sulu.
The initiative seeks to address several interconnected peace and security concerns, including the proliferation of loose firearms and the prevention of rido, or clan-based conflicts.
By encouraging the voluntary surrender of firearms while strengthening community participation and local government leadership, the campaign aims to reduce the potential for armed violence and create conditions conducive to lasting peace.
The latest surrender in Barangay Pang also underscores the role of local communities in sustaining peace gains, particularly in areas where longstanding disputes and the presence of firearms can heighten the risk of violence.
The brigade said it will continue supporting its partner LGUs in efforts to reduce loose firearms, prevent clan conflicts, strengthen community participation and advance lasting peace and security throughout Sulu.
For Kalingalan Caluang, the voluntary surrender of the M1 Garand represents another concrete step toward the campaign’s goal of building communities where disputes are settled peacefully and firearms are kept out of conflicts.