From Battlefield to Peace Ground: Patikul's Historic Transformation
The Municipality of Patikul in Sulu province has achieved a monumental milestone, officially declaring itself a Gun-Free and Peace-Centered Community on Tuesday, November 11, 2025. This historic ceremony marks a dramatic shift for a town once known as one of the most conflict-stricken areas in the region, now emerging as a beacon of hope and unity.
The emotional declaration ceremony saw Brigadier General Emmanuel Cabasan of the 1103rd Infantry Brigade delivering an inspirational message of support, standing alongside local officials and security forces who made this transformation possible.
Collective Efforts Behind the Peace Declaration
This groundbreaking achievement resulted from the powerful collaboration between the local government unit of Patikul under Mayor Kabir Hayudini and multiple security agencies. The partnership included the 1103rd Infantry Brigade of the Army's 11th Infantry Division, the 35th Infantry Battalion, Sulu Provincial Police Office (SPPO), and various dedicated peace partners.
Mayor Hayudini captured the emotional significance of the moment, stating: "Today, we are not just launching a program — we are witnessing the rebirth of Patikul. For too long, our name was tied to conflict. But today, we rise — united, hopeful, and committed to peace."
Beyond Ceremony: A Fundamental Shift in Community Identity
The Gun-Free Patikul Declaration represents far more than a ceremonial act. It signifies the community's firm decision to reject the cycle of violence that once defined the area and embrace peace as its new identity. The declaration serves as the people's shared commitment to protect life, uphold the rule of law, and create an environment where development can flourish.
Key figures echoed this vision during the ceremony, including Basil Aspi, Peace and Order and Public Safety chairperson; Mudzrica Jubail, Municipal Local Government Operations Officer; Emini Kadiri, DILG provincial director; and Police Colonel Jeff Briones Uy, Sulu PPO director.
Brigadier General Cabasan emphasized the deeper meaning of peace, stating: "Peace is not merely the absence of guns. It is the presence of hope, opportunity, and security — where every child can walk to school without fear, every farmer can till the soil freely, and every family can dream again."
Sustained Peace Efforts and Future Implications
The declaration forms part of the 1103rd Infantry Brigade's continuous effort to maintain peace and stability across its area of operations. Under Cabasan's leadership, the brigade has consistently promoted community-based peace programs, fostered inter-agency cooperation, and supported local governments in establishing lasting security and development.
For decades, Patikul was known as a center of insurgency and armed encounters, where fear often silenced laughter and dreams. The successful transformation demonstrates that lasting peace becomes possible when communities choose dialogue over division and compassion over confrontation.
As the ceremony concluded, the air filled with applause, unity, and faith — a powerful contrast to the echo of gunfire that once dominated the area. Patikul's courageous choice to disarm hands and arm hearts with hope now serves as an inspiring message to the entire province of Sulu and the nation that peace is achievable, beginning with a single, courageous decision.
