The ongoing momentum of community-driven peace initiatives received a significant boost as military forces successfully organized a major public forum in Sulu, strengthening grassroots support for critical security campaigns while enhancing public awareness of national maritime concerns.
Grand Pulong-Pulong in Huwit-Huwit Village
On Tuesday, April 7, 2026, the 101st Infantry Battalion of the 1102nd Infantry Brigade conducted a comprehensive Grand Pulong-Pulong in Huwit-Huwit village, located in the municipality of Omar, Sulu. This substantial gathering represented the culmination of an intensive week-long house-to-house engagement initiative carried out by battalion personnel throughout the entire village.
Direct Community Engagement and Security Reinforcement
Lieutenant Colonel Dante Mantes, commander of the 101st Infantry Battalion, emphasized that troops directly interacted with residents during these engagements, addressing specific community concerns while reinforcing awareness about maintaining peace and security at the household level. This personalized approach ensured that security discussions reached every corner of the community, creating a foundation for sustainable stability.
Beyond formal dialogue, the pulong-pulong event actively promoted the traditional Filipino spirit of bayanihan through multiple community-oriented activities. These included a feeding program for participants, various parlor games for entertainment, and the distribution of essential medicines and vitamins coordinated with the Rural Health Unit of Omar town.
Integrated Security Education and Maritime Awareness
The forum incorporated comprehensive educational components designed to enhance community understanding of both local and national security matters. Specifically, lectures covered Basic Security Awareness protocols, Non-Combatant Evacuation Operations procedures, and the ongoing Information, Education, and Communication Campaign concerning the West Philippine Sea.
This integrated approach ensured that residents gained practical knowledge about immediate security concerns while developing awareness of broader national maritime issues, creating a more informed and prepared community.
Broad Community Participation and Leadership Support
The pulong-pulong attracted active participation from diverse community sectors, including members of the Moro National Liberation Front community, demonstrating a shared commitment to sustaining peace and stability in the region. This inclusive participation highlighted the growing consensus around peacebuilding efforts across different community groups.
Huwit-Huwit Village Chairperson Carmina Lakkian provided strong support for the initiative, expressing appreciation to the 101st Infantry Battalion for their sustained engagement efforts. Lakkian noted that these continuous interactions have significantly strengthened cooperation between military forces and community members, improved overall security conditions, and built greater trust within the community structure.
Strategic Emphasis on Grassroots Peacebuilding
Brigadier General Alaric Avelino Delos Santos, commander of the 1102nd Infantry Brigade, underscored the fundamental principle that lasting peace is sustained at the grassroots level through continuous collaboration, consistent trust-building, and active community participation. This philosophical approach guides military-community interactions throughout the region.
Delos Santos further explained that the successive conduct of Grand Pulong-Pulong activities across Omar town demonstrates the growing momentum of community ownership in peacebuilding initiatives. This process effectively transforms temporary security gains into lasting stability while simultaneously strengthening public awareness of national security concerns, including those related to the West Philippine Sea.
The successful implementation of this community forum represents a tangible step forward in the Rido-Free, Gun-Free, and Peace-Centered Community campaign, demonstrating how military-civilian collaboration can create meaningful progress toward sustainable peace in conflict-affected regions.
