PANDAMI, Sulu — The municipal government of Pandami has further strengthened its campaign to keep communities free from loose firearms after Mayor Nurhan S. Berto formally turned over three firearms to government security forces during an activity at the Municipal Hall in Barangay Hambilan on September 5, 2026.
The latest turnover underscores the municipality’s continuing efforts to transform its declaration as a Rido-Free, Gun-Free, and Peace-Centered Community (RFGFPCC) and its State of Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS) into sustained, concrete measures aimed at protecting peace and preventing the resurgence of armed conflict.
Lt. Col. Roy R. Dalumpines, commanding officer of the 104th Infantry “Para sa Bayan” Battalion (104IB), said the activity was carried out through the coordinated efforts of the Pandami local government unit (LGU), the Philippine Army, and the Philippine National Police (PNP).
During the turnover, Mayor Berto voluntarily surrendered one Caliber .50 firearm, one M1918 Browning, and one FN FAL rifle to government security forces.
The firearms were formally received as part of continuing efforts to reduce the circulation of loose weapons in the community and prevent their potential use in armed confrontations, including conflicts arising from rido or family feuds.
22 firearms surrendered since start of campaign
The latest turnover brings the total number of assorted firearms voluntarily handed over by the Municipality of Pandami to 22 since January 1, 2026, when the RFGFPCC Campaign began.
The surrendered firearms consist of one crew-served weapon, 15 high-powered firearms, and six low-powered firearms.
The figure reflects an ongoing effort by the municipal government, community members, and security forces to remove loose firearms from circulation and strengthen the peace gains achieved by the municipality.
Rather than treating the declaration of Pandami as a Rido-Free, Gun-Free, and Peace-Centered Community as a one-time achievement, local officials and security forces have emphasized the need to continuously reinforce the conditions that allow peace to endure.
For security authorities, reducing the number of loose firearms in communities is an important component of preventing violence and limiting the potential escalation of disputes into armed confrontations.
Security forces commend LGU leadership
Dalumpines commended Mayor Berto and the Pandami LGU for taking an active role in sustaining the municipality’s peace and security gains.
“The turnover demonstrates that sustaining peace is not the responsibility of the security forces alone. The leadership of the LGU and the cooperation of the community are essential,” Dalumpines said.
He also recognized the people of Pandami for continuing to support initiatives designed to make their communities more peaceful and free from loose firearms.
The Army has repeatedly emphasized that maintaining peace requires cooperation among local governments, communities, security forces, and other stakeholders, particularly in areas where family disputes and the presence of firearms can contribute to the escalation of conflicts.
Brigade sees sustained community participation
Brig. Gen. Alaric Avelino P. Delos Santos, commander of the 1102nd Infantry “Ganarul” Brigade, said the 22 firearms voluntarily surrendered in Pandami demonstrate the potential of an LGU-led and community-supported approach to peacebuilding.
“The 22 firearms voluntarily handed over in Pandami since the start of our RFGFPCC Campaign are a strong indication of what can be achieved when the LGU takes the lead and the community supports our collective peace efforts,” Delos Santos said.
He said the experience of Pandami demonstrates that declaring a community Rido-Free, Gun-Free, and Peace-Centered should not be regarded as the conclusion of the peace process.
Instead, he described the declaration as an ongoing commitment requiring sustained action from local leaders and residents.
“Mayor Berto and the Pandami LGU are demonstrating that declaring a community Rido-Free, Gun-Free, and Peace-Centered is not the end of our work, it is a commitment that must be continuously protected and sustained,” he said.
Delos Santos also assured local governments and communities that the Army would continue supporting efforts to protect the peace gains achieved through community cooperation.
“The Army will continue to stand behind our LGUs and communities as partners in protecting these hard-earned peace gains,” he said.
He added that every firearm peacefully removed from communities reduces the potential for violence and can strengthen public confidence in resolving disputes through dialogue and the rule of law.
Coordinated peace and security effort
The turnover was facilitated by personnel of the 104IB led by Dalumpines, together with Lt. Col. Joelito L. Guanzon, 1Lt. Kent Joseph M. Ferriol, assistant operations officer; 2Lt. Brix Jones B. Laging, assistant civil-military operations officer; 2Lt. Ainel Caranay; and PCpt. Rizhard Julkanain, chief of police of the Siasi Municipal Police Station.
The activity forms part of the broader implementation of the RFGFPCC Campaign being supported by the 1102nd Infantry “Ganarul” Brigade, through the 104IB, in coordination with LGUs, the PNP, and other stakeholders.
The campaign seeks to strengthen community-based mechanisms for sustaining peace, addressing the presence of loose firearms, and preventing disputes from escalating into violence.
For Pandami, the surrender of three additional firearms represents another concrete step in translating its peace commitments into action.
With 22 firearms already voluntarily turned over since the beginning of the year, the municipality’s continuing initiative highlights how sustained cooperation between local leaders, communities, and security institutions can contribute to keeping hard-earned peace gains intact.
The latest turnover also reinforces a broader message from authorities: peace declarations must be backed by continuing action, community participation, and a shared commitment to resolving conflicts through peaceful means and the rule of law.