SIAYAN, Zamboanga del Norte — Two former members of the Yunit Militia (YM) under the now-dismantled Main Regional Guerilla Unit (MRGU) of the Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee (WMRPC) voluntarily surrendered four high-powered firearms and ammunition to the Philippine Army in Siayan, Zamboanga del Norte on August 28, 2026.
The firearms were turned over at the Pange Patrol Base in Barangay Pange, Siayan, in an activity facilitated by personnel of the Alpha Company of the Army’s 97th Infantry (KALASAGLAHI) Battalion, 1st Infantry (TABAK) Division.
The surrender was attributed by the military to sustained community engagement efforts aimed at reaching residents and former supporters of armed groups in communities previously affected by armed conflict.
The surrendered firearms consisted of one M14 rifle, one M1 Garand rifle, one M1 Carbine, and one USAS 12-gauge shotgun. The weapons were turned over together with their magazines and 17 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.
According to the two individuals who surrendered the firearms, the weapons had been entrusted to them by former members of the MRGU in 2020. The firearms remained in their possession until they decided to turn them over to government authorities.
The MRGU and WMRPC were declared dismantled in February 2024.
The Philippine Army said the latest surrender demonstrates the continuing role of community-level engagement in encouraging individuals who previously maintained links with armed groups to cooperate with government authorities and turn over firearms that could potentially contribute to renewed insecurity in conflict-affected communities.
Following the surrender, the 97IB coordinated with the Siayan municipal government and the Zamboanga del Norte provincial government to facilitate immediate financial or livelihood assistance for the two individuals.
The Army also said that the process for assistance under the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) would be initiated in connection with the surrendered firearms. The program is intended to support individuals who choose to abandon armed-group involvement and pursue reintegration into mainstream communities.
Lieutenant Colonel Jessie G. Bergonia, commanding officer of the 97IB, said the voluntary surrender reflects the potential of sustained engagement between government forces and communities to encourage former supporters of armed groups to choose peaceful alternatives.
“This voluntary surrender shows that continuous engagement with communities opens opportunities for former supporters of armed groups to choose peace and become part of building safer and more stable communities,” Bergonia said.
He also called on other individuals who may still be keeping illegal or unlicensed firearms to cooperate with government authorities and surrender the weapons, emphasizing the importance of removing unauthorized firearms from communities as part of efforts to maintain peace and security.
The 97IB said it would continue its community engagement, deterrence and sustainment operations in areas previously affected by conflict, while working with local governments, communities and other stakeholders to strengthen security and promote long-term stability in Zamboanga del Norte.
The Army maintained that the firearms surrender is part of broader efforts to sustain the gains from the dismantling of armed-group structures and prevent the re-emergence of armed conflict in communities that have experienced years of insecurity.