PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur — A total of 119 loose firearms and various explosives were formally destroyed on Monday morning, September 29, 2025, at the Provincial Government Complex in Dao, Pagadian City, as part of the government’s Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Program. The ceremony also marked the awarding of 64 educational scholarships to students whose families voluntarily surrendered the weapons.
The activity, dubbed the Demilitarization of Surrendered Loose Firearms and Scholarship Grant Ceremony, was spearheaded by the 53rd Infantry “Matapat” Battalion under the 1st Infantry “Tabak” Division of the Philippine Army, in partnership with the Provincial Government of Zamboanga del Sur led by Governor Divina Grace C. Yu. Members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and other local government officials were also present.
The surrendered firearms—ranging from homemade weapons to high-powered rifles—were flattened by a road roller in full public view, symbolizing the government’s determination to curb the proliferation of illegal weapons.
As part of the peace initiative, 64 children of the firearm holders received scholarship grants from the provincial government. The program, officials said, reflects a “carrot-and-stick” approach, encouraging residents to give up their weapons in exchange for opportunities that promote education and long-term peace.
Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) Secretary Carlito G. Galvez Jr., who served as guest of honor, underscored the link between education and peace. “An investment for education is an investment for peace,” Galvez said, stressing that scholarships empower the younger generation while discouraging communities from reverting to armed violence.
Messages of support were also delivered by Major General Yegor Rey Baroquillo Jr., Commander of the 1st Infantry Division, and Commodore Rejard V. Marfe, District Commander of the Philippine Coast Guard Southwestern Mindanao. Both highlighted the importance of inter-agency collaboration in achieving lasting security and development in Mindanao.
Governor Yu, in her remarks, called on barangay officials to strengthen cooperation with the police and military in maintaining order. She warned against the dangers of tolerating illegal firearms, urging collective efforts to completely stamp out their manufacture and possession in the province.
Officials said the destruction of surrendered firearms and the simultaneous granting of scholarships exemplify a holistic peace and security strategy—one that not only reduces the tools of violence but also provides families with opportunities for livelihood and education.
The initiative, they added, demonstrates how local communities, with the support of government and security forces, can play a critical role in sustaining peace in Zamboanga del Sur and across Mindanao.