Zamboanga City Mayor Khymer Olaso personally handed over assistance to eight individuals who voluntarily surrendered loose firearms during a ceremony at the City Hall Conference Room on Friday, June 26, 2026.
Assistance Provided to Surrenderers
Each of the eight peace-loving individuals received grocery packs, a 25-kilogram sack of rice, and P5,000 cash assistance sourced from Mayor Olaso's salary. The surrendered firearms included four 12-gauge shotguns, a Garand rifle, a Carbine rifle, a caliber .38 revolver, and a magnum .357 revolver.
According to the city government, all eight individuals have no pending criminal cases, and the firearms they handed over were owned by their relatives. One of the surrenderers told Olaso during the turnover, "It belongs to my grandfather."
Role of Task Force Zamboanga
The voluntary surrender was facilitated by Lieutenant Colonel Brendo Maglasang, executive officer of Task Force Zamboanga (TFZ) and head of its outpost on the east coast of Zamboanga City. Mayor Olaso commended the task force for its relentless efforts in promoting peace and security. "Through your dedication, collaboration with partner agencies, and engagement with local communities, you have reinforced public trust and demonstrated that lasting peace is achieved through unity and shared responsibility," Olaso said during the activity.
Commitment to Peacebuilding
The mayor also acknowledged the anti-crime efforts of the Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) and assured the city government's steadfast support for programs promoting peacebuilding, conflict prevention, and community security. Additionally, Olaso pledged to provide educational assistance to one of the eight individuals who expressed a desire to continue his studies.
The surrendered firearms are now in the custody of TFZ for safekeeping. Colonel Manaros Boransing, TFZ acting commander, and Police Colonel Fidel Fortaleza Jr., ZCPO director, joined Olaso during the ceremony.
