STA. CRUZ, Davao del Sur — A 44-year-old man affiliated with a local armed group voluntarily surrendered an M16 rifle with a defaced serial number to government authorities, reinforcing ongoing community-based efforts to reduce the presence of loose firearms and encourage armed individuals to abandon illegal activities in Davao del Sur.
The surrender took place on September 4, when Dori Samling Capina, a resident of Sitio Alyong, Barangay Kimlawis, Kiblawan, turned over the firearm to personnel of the Alpha Company of the Philippine Army’s 39th Infantry (Smash’Em) Battalion at the company’s station in Sitio Cogon, Barangay Tuban, Sta. Cruz.
According to the 39th Infantry Battalion, Capina is affiliated with the group led by Balusa Malid Binuhay, whose members had previously surrendered three firearms to the battalion’s Charlie Company on August 24.
The latest turnover was significant because the group had earlier pledged to surrender what it described as its fourth and final firearm.
The group had previously drawn public attention after a video showing its members conducting a patrol in Sitio Bongmal went viral. Following engagements with authorities and community stakeholders, the group expressed its intention to pursue reconciliation, abandon illegal activities and support peace initiatives in the communities where it operates.
The latest firearm surrender was subsequently presented to Kiblawan Municipal Mayor Carl Jason Rama during a ceremony at the Municipal Mayor’s Office.
First Lieutenant Philip D. Servidad, Alpha Company commander, presented both the surrendered M16 rifle and Capina to the municipal mayor. Also present during the ceremony were Police Major William O. Catipay Jr., acting chief of police of the Kiblawan Municipal Police Station, and Police Major Robert James Carumba, deputy force commander of the 2nd Davao del Sur Provincial Mobile Force Company.
The Army described the surrender as part of continuing coordinated efforts among security forces, local governments and communities to address loose firearms and promote a more peaceful environment.
Beyond the physical recovery of another firearm, the development underscores the role of community engagement and reconciliation in addressing local security concerns. The willingness of members associated with the group to surrender firearms and publicly commit to abandoning illegal activities provides authorities with an opportunity to pursue peace-building measures alongside law-enforcement and security operations.
The surrender also follows the group’s earlier turnover of three firearms, bringing the total number of firearms voluntarily yielded by the group to four based on the information released by the 39th Infantry Battalion.
Authorities, however, continue to face the broader challenge of loose firearms remaining in communities across conflict- and security-sensitive areas. Unregistered or unlawfully possessed firearms can potentially fuel armed confrontations, criminal activity and other threats to public safety, making voluntary surrender programs and sustained community engagement important components of local peace and security efforts.
The 39th Infantry Battalion said it remains committed to working with local government units, the Philippine National Police and community stakeholders in maintaining peace and security throughout its area of operations.
For the Army, the latest surrender represents not only the removal of another firearm from the community but also a continuing opportunity to encourage individuals and groups to choose reconciliation, lawful community participation and peace over armed activity.
The development further highlights the importance of sustained coordination between security forces and local communities in preventing violence and strengthening peace initiatives at the grassroots level.
As Capina and his associates move away from their previous activities, authorities and local officials are expected to continue engaging with the group to help sustain its commitment to reconciliation and ensure that the surrender of firearms translates into a lasting contribution to peace and public security in Kiblawan and neighboring communities.