SIASI, Sulu – A potentially deadly shooting incident that could have escalated into a violent clan feud, or rido, was peacefully resolved through the sustained implementation of the military’s Rido-Free, Gun-Free, and Peace-Centered Community (RFGFPCC) Campaign, leading to the recovery of two loose firearms and an amicable settlement between the parties involved.
The 1102nd Infantry “Ganarul” Brigade announced that its peace-centered intervention successfully prevented further violence following a shooting incident that occurred on July 8 in Barangay East Kuntad, Siasi, Sulu.
According to Lt. Col. Roy R. Dalumpines, Commanding Officer of the 104th Infantry “Para sa Bayan” Battalion, government troops immediately responded after receiving reports that a man identified only as alias “Andak” allegedly shot alias “Maruji,” who was reportedly caught stealing coconut produce.
Upon arriving at the scene, soldiers secured the area, provided immediate assistance to the wounded victim by facilitating his evacuation to a hospital, and recovered a caliber .38 revolver believed to have been abandoned by the fleeing suspect.
Recognizing the potential for retaliatory violence between the families involved, the battalion swiftly coordinated with the Siasi Municipal Police Station, the local government unit, and barangay officials to launch pursuit operations while simultaneously initiating dialogue under the Brigade’s RFGFPCC Campaign.
The military said the strategy aimed not only to pursue the suspect but also to prevent the incident from triggering a wider conflict that could endanger the community.
Lt. Col. Dalumpines disclosed that on July 9, the suspect’s father voluntarily surrendered a 9mm pistol with a defaced serial number to government troops, demonstrating the family’s willingness to cooperate with authorities and support peaceful conflict resolution.
The following day, the 104th Infantry Battalion Civil-Military Operations Team, together with representatives from the Siasi Municipal Government, the Philippine National Police, barangay officials, and the families of both parties, successfully facilitated a dialogue at the Siasi Municipal Police Station.
The mediation resulted in an amicable settlement, with both families agreeing to resolve the dispute peacefully. As part of the agreement, the suspect’s family committed to shoulder the victim’s medical expenses and pledged to encourage alias “Andak” to voluntarily surrender to authorities.
“The successful resolution of this incident demonstrates the effectiveness of the RFGFPCC Campaign in preventing violence through dialogue, community cooperation, and respect for the rule of law,” Lt. Col. Dalumpines said.
Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Alaric Avelino P. Delos Santos, Commander of the 1102nd Infantry “Ganarul” Brigade, emphasized that the peaceful settlement reflects the effectiveness of the Brigade’s Local Government Unit-led, Security Sector-Supported, Community-Based (LSC) Framework in maintaining peace and stability across Sulu.
“Every conflict resolved peacefully and every loose firearm recovered strengthens our collective effort to build a Rido-Free, Gun-Free, and Peace-Centered Sulu. Through the LSC Framework, we will continue working with our local government units, law enforcement agencies, and communities to achieve genuine and lasting peace,” Brig. Gen. Delos Santos said.
The recovery of the two firearms—the abandoned caliber .38 revolver and the voluntarily surrendered 9mm pistol with a defaced serial number—also supports the government’s continuing campaign against loose firearms, a long-standing security concern in the province.
The 1102nd Infantry “Ganarul” Brigade reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining the RFGFPCC Campaign, saying it will continue to work closely with local government units, the Philippine National Police, traditional leaders, and local communities to prevent rido, reduce the proliferation of illegal firearms, and promote lasting peace and development throughout Sulu.