Barangay Tambunbubu in Banguingui, Sulu, has been formally declared a Rido-Free, Gun-Free, and Peace-Centered Community (RFGFPCC), marking another significant step in the municipality’s continuing campaign to end clan conflicts, reduce the presence of firearms, and strengthen community-based peace and security.
The declaration was made on August 9, 2026, during a ceremony attended by local officials, military and police personnel, the Philippine Coast Guard, and residents, with the voluntary surrender of a high-powered firearm highlighting the community’s commitment to maintaining peace.
A concerned civilian voluntarily turned over an M16A1 rifle and one short magazine through Barangay Chairperson Hon. Adamin L. Ibrahim during the activity.
Lt. Col. Dante Mantes, Commanding Officer of the 101st Infantry “Sajahitra” Battalion, said the voluntary turnover demonstrated the willingness of residents to support government efforts to prevent gun-related violence and promote peaceful means of resolving disputes.
The activity was facilitated by troops from Charlie Company of the 101st Infantry Battalion and Charlie Company of the 104th Infantry “Para sa Bayan” Battalion, led by 1Lt. Jesson C. Peñaflor.
The military units coordinated closely with the Banguingui Municipal Police Station, under PMSG Fadzmier M. Abdilla, and the Philippine Coast Guard Sub-Station Banguingui, under ENS Charles Calleja, underscoring the coordinated approach being taken by government security agencies in securing communities across the municipality.
The initiative also received the support of Hon. Ridzwan A. Sariul, Sangguniang Bayan Member and Chairman of the Municipal Peace and Order Committee, reflecting the growing partnership among the local government, security forces, and residents in addressing longstanding peace and security concerns.
A community choosing peace
Col. Alex H. Gagula, Deputy Brigade Commander of the 1102nd Infantry “Ganarul” Brigade, represented Brig. Gen. Alaric Avelino P. Delos Santos during the ceremony and commended the officials and residents of Tambunbubu for their commitment to sustaining the gains of peace.
Gagula said the barangay’s declaration, coupled with the voluntary surrender of the M16A1 rifle, sends a strong message that residents are increasingly rejecting the use of firearms and violence as a means of settling disputes.
“The declaration of Barangay Tambunbubu and the voluntary turnover of a high-powered firearm reflect the community’s commitment to reject gun violence, resolve differences peacefully, and uphold the rule of law,” Gagula said.
The milestone is particularly significant in an area where rido, or clan-based conflict, has historically posed challenges to community safety, social cohesion, and local development.
By formally declaring Tambunbubu as an RFGFPCC, local authorities and community leaders are signaling their commitment not only to preventing armed violence but also to creating an environment where disputes can be addressed through dialogue, mediation, and lawful mechanisms.
Building toward a peaceful Banguingui
Gagula said the achievement brings Banguingui closer to its broader goal of becoming a Rido-Free, Gun-Free, and Peace-Centered Municipality.
The campaign is anchored on an LGU-led, security sector-supported, and community-based approach, recognizing that lasting peace cannot be achieved through military and police operations alone.
Instead, the initiative seeks to encourage residents, traditional and community leaders, local government officials, and security forces to work together in preventing conflict, promoting responsible firearm ownership and surrender, and strengthening mechanisms for peacefully resolving disputes.
The voluntary surrender of the M16A1 rifle also demonstrates the importance of community participation in reducing the circulation of high-powered firearms that could potentially be used in armed confrontations, clan conflicts, or other violent incidents.
For authorities, every voluntarily surrendered firearm represents not only one less weapon potentially available for violence but also an opportunity to strengthen trust between communities and government institutions.
Sustaining the gains of peace
The 1102nd Infantry “Ganarul” Brigade, under the leadership of Brig. Gen. Delos Santos, reaffirmed its commitment to supporting local government units and communities in sustaining peace initiatives throughout the Second District of Sulu.
The brigade said it will continue working with local stakeholders to strengthen community security, support peace-building efforts, and help create conditions conducive to development.
The declaration of Tambunbubu therefore stands as more than a ceremonial achievement. It represents a collective commitment by residents and authorities to move away from violence and toward a culture of dialogue, accountability, and peaceful coexistence.
With the barangay now formally recognized as Rido-Free, Gun-Free, and Peace-Centered, authorities hope the achievement will serve as a model for other communities in Banguingui and contribute to the municipality’s broader vision of a safer and more peaceful future.
The challenge now, officials emphasized, is to sustain the declaration—ensuring that the absence of rido and gun violence is not merely a milestone but becomes a lasting part of community life.