The 97th Infantry “KalasaglahI” Battalion of the 1st Infantry “Tabak” Division, Philippine Army, has successfully facilitated the voluntary surrender of loose firearms in various communities in Zamboanga del Norte this January 2026, as part of its intensified peace and security efforts under the Mobile Community Support Sustainment Program (MCSSP) and the Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Management Program.
According to the battalion, the initiative aims to reduce the proliferation of illegally possessed firearms and prevent their use in criminal activities and armed violence. Through sustained community engagement, dialogue, and close coordination with local government units and residents, concerned individuals voluntarily turned over assorted firearms, ammunition, and war materiel. The successful surrender reflects the growing trust, confidence, and cooperation between local communities and the Philippine Army.
Military officials disclosed that some of the surrendered weapons came from former supporters of the New People’s Army (NPA), who claimed that the firearms were abandoned and previously owned by the now-dismantled Main Regional Guerrilla Unit (MRGU) of the Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee (WMRPC). The development highlights the collective desire of residents to reject armed groups and pursue peaceful and sustainable solutions for community development.
Among the items turned over in this phase were one M4 rifle, one M1 Garand rifle, one KG-9 9mm firearm, one homemade caliber .45 pistol, three Garand barrel assemblies, twelve rounds of 9mm ammunition, two empty KG-9 magazines, 47 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, and one empty .45 caliber magazine.
In a separate but related operation under the SALW Management Program, additional loose firearms and explosives were voluntarily surrendered. These included one M2 Carbine rifle, one M1 Garand rifle, three improvised homemade shotguns, one caliber .38 revolver, one hand grenade, one rifle grenade, and fifteen rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.
Lieutenant Colonel Jessie G. Bergonia, Commanding Officer of the 97th Infantry Battalion, expressed his sincere gratitude to the civilians who voluntarily surrendered their weapons. He commended them for choosing the path of peace and for contributing to the safety and stability of Zamboanga del Norte.
“The voluntary surrender of these loose firearms is a clear manifestation of the growing trust of our people in the Philippine Army,” Bergonia said. “We remain committed to strengthening our peace-building programs in partnership with local government units, various sectors, and the community.”
He reaffirmed the battalion’s dedication to maintaining peace and order in the province, stressing that sustained cooperation between the military and civilians is vital in preventing armed conflict and criminality.
The 97th Infantry “KalasaglahI” Battalion continues to encourage the public to actively support and participate in the SALW Management Program, describing it as a crucial step in promoting public safety, strengthening community security, and ensuring lasting peace and development across Zamboanga del Norte.