MAKILALA, COTABATO — A total of 41 individuals identified as “Friends Rescued” have completed the 15-day Cotabato Deradicalization and Reintegration Program, while 49 beneficiaries received Safe Conduct Passes during a ceremony held on September 25, 2026, marking another step in ongoing efforts to support peaceful reintegration and community-based peacebuilding in the province.
The activity was led by the 39th Infantry “Smash ’Em” Battalion (39IB) in partnership with government agencies and the Provincial Government of Cotabato. It highlighted the continuing collaboration among security forces, local government institutions and civilian communities in helping beneficiaries transition toward peaceful and productive lives within their communities.
The ceremonial handover of the Safe Conduct Passes formed part of the broader reintegration effort, providing beneficiaries with documentation intended to support their participation in the government’s peace and reintegration mechanisms.
The Local Amnesty Board (LAB) in Koronadal City also played a key role in facilitating the Amnesty Program, while various government agencies contributed assistance aimed at helping beneficiaries address their immediate needs and prepare for their return to community life.
Board Member Hon. Ryl John C. Caoagdan emphasized that addressing insurgency and sustaining peace requires a whole-of-nation approach.
Caoagdan stressed that the responsibility for ending insurgency does not rest solely on members of the military and other uniformed services. Government agencies, local institutions and civilian communities, he said, all have important roles to play in addressing the challenges that contribute to conflict and in sustaining peace and development.
The message underscored the importance of looking beyond security operations and strengthening cooperation among institutions that can provide social, economic and community-based support to individuals undergoing reintegration.
For his part, Colonel Jeffrey A. Villarosa MNSA PA emphasized the importance of sustained peacebuilding and reintegration, highlighting the need to maintain support for beneficiaries beyond the completion of the formal program.
Lt. Colonel Hector A. Estolas, commanding officer of the 39IB, likewise stressed the importance of continued cooperation among government agencies, families and communities in advancing transformation and reconciliation.
The 15-day program was designed as part of the continuing effort to help beneficiaries move toward peaceful reintegration. The participation of families and communities remains important in creating an environment where those undergoing the process can rebuild relationships, pursue productive activities and contribute to their communities.
Aside from completing the deradicalization program and receiving Safe Conduct Passes, the beneficiaries were also provided with assistance intended to help them meet immediate household and livelihood needs.
The Provincial Government of Cotabato and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) XII provided cash assistance, food packages and rice assistance to the beneficiaries.
The assistance forms part of the broader support being extended to individuals undergoing reintegration, particularly as they transition from a structured government program back into their families and communities.
The activity also underscored the importance of coordination among agencies involved in peacebuilding. Government institutions have different mandates and resources, making interagency cooperation essential in addressing the varied needs of beneficiaries and communities affected by conflict.
With the theme “Uniting for Peace, Transforming for Progress,” the ceremony reaffirmed the commitment of the 39IB and its partner institutions to strengthen cooperation, support peaceful reintegration and provide beneficiaries with opportunities to rebuild their lives.
The activity also reflected a broader approach to peacebuilding in which security, social assistance, local governance and community participation work alongside one another.
For the 41 individuals who completed the Cotabato Deradicalization Program and the 49 beneficiaries who received Safe Conduct Passes, the ceremony marked an important stage in their reintegration journey.
The participating agencies emphasized that sustaining the gains of the program will require continued cooperation not only from government institutions and security forces, but also from families and communities that will play a crucial role in supporting beneficiaries as they rebuild their lives and contribute to peace and development in Cotabato.