SOUTH UPI, Maguindanao del Sur — A total of 37 surrendered firearms were turned over to the local government of South Upi in an initiative aimed at reducing the circulation of loose firearms and strengthening peace and security in the conflict-affected municipality.
The activity was carried out through the collaboration of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), the municipal government led by Mayor Helen Benito-Padua, the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Army’s 603rd Infantry (Persuader) Brigade and 57th Infantry (Masikap) Battalion, and other peace and security stakeholders.
The turnover forms part of the government’s Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Management Program, particularly its livelihood distribution component, which combines efforts to address the proliferation of unregistered or illegally possessed firearms with economic assistance for qualified beneficiaries.
Under the initiative, qualified beneficiaries received livelihood assistance intended to help them establish sustainable sources of income and improve their quality of life. The program seeks to encourage former firearm holders to pursue economic opportunities while supporting broader efforts to reduce security risks in local communities.
The surrender of the 37 firearms represents a concrete step in the municipality’s disarmament efforts. However, the long-term impact of the initiative will depend on sustained implementation, effective monitoring, and the ability of beneficiaries to maintain viable livelihoods beyond the initial assistance.
Army commander calls for lasting peace
Col. Manuel Leo Q. Gador, commander of the 603rd Infantry Brigade, commended the troops involved in the initiative and the residents who participated in the effort.
Gador said the activity demonstrated a shift toward choosing peace over violence, expressing hope that South Upi would become known for its progress in peacebuilding rather than conflict.
“I-ukit natin sa kasaysayan ng South Upi na ang bayang ito ay hindi na kilala sa alitan, kundi kilala bilang simbolo ng tagumpay ng kapayapaan sa buong Bangsamoro,” Gador said.
His statement underscored the importance of community participation in efforts to prevent armed violence and build a more stable environment in the Bangsamoro region.
Disarmament and livelihood support go hand in hand
The SALW initiative reflects an approach that links security interventions with economic support. By pairing firearm surrender with livelihood assistance, the program seeks to address not only the presence of loose firearms but also the economic circumstances that may affect the sustainability of peace efforts.
The initiative also highlights the role of coordination among national government agencies, local officials, law enforcement personnel, the military, and community stakeholders in addressing security concerns in conflict-affected areas.
Still, the number of firearms surrendered alone does not establish the overall level of improvement in public safety. Sustained progress will also depend on preventing the return of surrendered weapons to circulation, ensuring that livelihood assistance reaches its intended beneficiaries, and maintaining community trust in peace and security programs.
In line with the Philippine Army’s Transformation Roadmap, military leadership reiterated that the Army’s responsibilities extend beyond conventional security operations and include supporting peacebuilding and initiatives intended to improve conditions in communities affected by conflict.
For South Upi, the challenge now is to translate the surrender of the 37 firearms and the distribution of livelihood assistance into lasting gains: safer communities, more sustainable household incomes, and stronger cooperation among residents and institutions working toward peace.