KALINGALAN CALUANG, Sulu — Two Caliber .45 pistols were voluntarily surrendered by three individuals to government troops in Kalingalan Caluang, Sulu, on September 5, as joint peace and security efforts by the Philippine Army and local stakeholders continued to support the drive against loose firearms and community conflicts in the province.
The firearms were turned over during an activity facilitated by the 21st Infantry “Invincible” Battalion (21IB) and the 101st Infantry “Sajahitra” Battalion (101IB), according to reports from the two Army units.
The three individuals voluntarily presented themselves to government forces and collectively surrendered the two handguns. Representatives of the Barangay Local Government Unit of Barangay Pang and the Municipal Government of Kalingalan Caluang witnessed the turnover, which the Army said was properly documented to ensure accountability and transparency.
Lt. Col. Ronald A. Borras, commanding officer of the 21IB, attributed the peaceful handover to sustained coordination, dialogue and community engagement conducted by the two Army units with the assistance of local stakeholders.
“The voluntary handover of these firearms is a positive result of our continuing engagement with the community,” Borras said, thanking the individuals and partner stakeholders for their cooperation.
He said every firearm voluntarily surrendered helps reduce the possibility of armed confrontations and other violence in communities.
“Every firearm voluntarily handed over is a meaningful contribution toward making our communities safer and preventing conflicts from escalating into violence,” Borras added.
Lt. Col. Dante E. Mantes, commanding officer of the 101IB, likewise emphasized the importance of cooperation between government security forces, local governments and communities in maintaining peace.
“This demonstrates what we can accomplish through unity of effort,” Mantes said, pointing to the continuing partnership among the 21IB, local government units, the Philippine National Police, community leaders and other stakeholders.
Mantes said the Army would continue promoting dialogue and cooperation as part of efforts to address community concerns through peaceful means.
The latest firearm turnover forms part of the 1102nd Infantry “Ganarul” Brigade’s Rido and Gun-Free, Peace and Conflict-Resilient Communities (RFGFPCC) Campaign, an initiative aimed at reducing the presence of loose firearms while strengthening local mechanisms for preventing and managing conflicts.
The campaign adopts an LGU-led, security sector-supported and community-based approach, bringing together local governments, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the PNP, community leaders and other peace stakeholders.
Aside from addressing the proliferation of loose firearms, the campaign seeks to encourage communities to resolve disputes peacefully and build stronger mechanisms against the escalation of local conflicts.
Brig. Gen. Alaric Avelino P. Delos Santos, commander of the 1102nd Infantry “Ganarul” Brigade, commended the 21IB and 101IB for their coordinated efforts and thanked the local governments, police, community leaders and the individuals involved in the handover.
Delos Santos said the surrender demonstrated the importance of collective participation in sustaining peace.
“This accomplishment reflects the essence of our RFGFPCC Campaign wherein government forces, local governments, law enforcement agencies, community leaders, and the people working together toward a shared responsibility for peace,” he said.
According to Delos Santos, the significance of the handover extends beyond the removal of two firearms from circulation.
“The voluntary handover of these firearms goes beyond reducing loose firearms in our communities; it demonstrates growing trust, cooperation, and a collective desire to preserve peace,” he said.
The brigade said the initiative remains part of its broader effort to preserve the gains of peace in Sulu by encouraging communities to choose dialogue and cooperation rather than violence in resolving disputes.
“Our priority is to sustain the hard-earned peace in Sulu and ensure that the next generation inherits safer and more peaceful communities,” Delos Santos said.
He urged residents and other stakeholders to remain involved in efforts to address conflicts peacefully and contribute to community peace-building.
The 1102nd Infantry Brigade said it will continue coordinating with its subordinate units, local government units, the PNP, community leaders and other stakeholders to advance the RFGFPCC Campaign and strengthen peace and security across its area of responsibility.