ZAMBOANGA. Residents in three towns in Sulu voluntarily surrendered four assorted firearms through sustained peacebuilding and community engagement efforts from May 3 to 6, 2026, of the 104th Infantry Battalion under the 1102nd Infantry Brigade.
Surrender of Firearms in Pandami, Lugus, and Siasi
The military announced on Thursday, May 7, 2026, that the sustained peacebuilding and community engagement initiatives of the 104th Infantry Battalion (104IB) under the 1102nd Infantry Brigade led to the voluntary surrender of four assorted firearms in the towns of Pandami, Lugus, and Siasi in Sulu from May 3 to 6.
Lieutenant Colonel Roy Dalumpines, commander of the 104IB, reported that the first surrender occurred on Sunday, May 3, in Malanta village, Pandami. A 12-gauge shotgun was voluntarily turned over during the declaration of Malanta village as a Rido-Free, Gun-Free, and Peace-Centered Community. Troops from the 104IB's Alpha Company, led by First Lieutenant Carl Lorenz Ebon, along with personnel from the 2nd Civil-Military Operations (2CMO) Company and the Pandami Municipal Police Station, facilitated the activity.
Another firearm was surrendered on Tuesday, May 5, in Sibul village, Lugus, Sulu. Troops from the 104IB's Bravo Company, led by Second Lieutenant Junner Guimbarda, in coordination with the Lugus Municipal Police Station, received one caliber .30 M1 Garand rifle from local residents during a similar peace declaration activity.
Continued Surrenders on May 6
On Wednesday, May 6, a caliber .45 pistol was voluntarily surrendered in Lahi village, Pandami, Sulu, through the joint efforts of Alpha Company, the 2nd CMO Company, and the Pandami Municipal Police Station during the declaration of the barangay as a Rido-Free, Gun-Free, and Peace-Centered Community.
On the same day, an M16A1 rifle with one magazine and 10 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition were surrendered by Denhar Gajir to Lieutenant Colonel Dalumpines at the 104IB headquarters in East Kuntad village, Siasi, Sulu. Dalumpines stated that the surrender followed an indiscriminate firing incident that occurred on Monday, May 4, between the coastal areas of Hambilan village, Pandami, and Poblacion village, Siasi.
Military Commends Community Cooperation
Brigadier General Alaric Avelino Delos Santos, commander of the 1102nd Infantry Brigade, praised the cooperation of the communities and emphasized the importance of collective action in sustaining peace efforts in Sulu.
"These firearm surrenders reflect the growing commitment of our communities to support peace, reject violence, and uphold the rule of law," Delos Santos said in a statement. "Through the continued cooperation of our local leaders, residents, and security forces, we are steadily advancing our campaign for Rido-Free, Gun-Free, and Peace-Centered Communities across Sulu," he added.
He reaffirmed the brigade's commitment to sustaining collaborative peace and security initiatives with local government units, law enforcement agencies, and stakeholders to support long-term stability and development in the province of Sulu.
