ZAMBOANGA — Sustained and synchronized community engagements by troops of the 1102nd Infantry Brigade, local stakeholders, and partner agencies have resulted in the turnover of 12 assorted firearms in two towns, bringing the total number of guns accounted for since January 1, 2026, to 140 in the second district of Sulu, the military reported on Tuesday, April 28, 2026.
Recent Firearm Turnovers
The 12 assorted firearms were turned over in the towns of Banguingui and Pandami from Thursday, April 23, to Monday, April 27, reinforcing momentum toward the establishment of Rido-Free, Gun-Free, and Peace-Centered Communities in the second district of the province.
Banguingui Town
Lieutenant Colonel Dante Mantes, commander of the 101st Infantry Battalion, highlighted in his report the series of successful firearm turnovers facilitated by the battalion's Charlie Company under First Lieutenant Jesson Pe aflor during Information and Education Campaigns in Banguingui. The firearms included one M16A1 rifle in Poblacion village, two caliber .30 M1 Garand rifles in Tabialan and Bangalaw villages, one M1 Carbine with 11 rounds of ammunition and magazine in Bakkaan village, two caliber .357 Magnum revolvers and one caliber .38 ammunition in North Paarul, one M1911 A1 pistol and one caliber .357 Magnum revolver in South Paarul, and another caliber .30 M1 Garand rifle in Sigumbal.
"The firearms were all voluntarily turned over with the active participation of village officials, MNLF representatives, and partner agencies," Mantes said in his report. He emphasized that the series of voluntary surrenders demonstrated the growing trust and cooperation between communities, local government units, and security forces, underscoring the effectiveness of sustained IEC efforts and inclusive peacebuilding initiatives in Banguingui.
Pandami Municipality
Lieutenant Colonel Roy Dalumpines, commander of the 104th Infantry Battalion, reported the successful handover of two low-powered firearms during barangay declarations as Rido-Free, Gun-Free, and Peace-Centered Communities in Pandami municipality. These included one caliber .38 revolver with five rounds of ammunition in Siganggang village on April 23, and one caliber .45 pistol with a tampered serial number in Suba-Suba village on April 27. Dalumpines noted that the integration of firearm surrender during barangay peace declarations reflects a deepening commitment of local communities in Pandami to abandon armed conflict and embrace lawful and peaceful means of conflict resolution.
Brigade Commander's Statement
Brigadier General Alaric Avelino Delos Santos, commander of the 1102nd Infantry Brigade, commended the troops, partner agencies, and local leaders for their unified efforts. "The continued turnover of loose firearms is a clear indicator that communities in the second district of Sulu are steadily transitioning toward a culture of peace, security, and responsible gun ownership," he stated.
Delos Santos said the recovery of 140 assorted firearms by the troops since January 1 significantly contributed to the brigade's campaign to reduce armed threats and sustain peace across its area of responsibility. He reaffirmed the brigade's commitment to sustain intensified community engagements, strengthen partnerships with local government units and stakeholders, and expand peacebuilding initiatives to ensure that all 11 towns in the second district of Sulu achieve and maintain Rido-Free, Gun-Free, and Peace-Centered status.
