LocationsUpi town in BARMM declared insurgency-free, Japan-UNDP’s arms management initiative plays key role
June 3, 2026
Representatives from the Local Government Unit of Upi, security sector and peace partners release peace doves at the Upi Municipal Gymnasium to celebrate the town’s official declaration as insurgency-free. The event marked the formal signing of Upi’s Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS) status, bolstered by the arms management efforts of the UNDP-Japan ASPIRE Project.
Upi, Maguindanao del Norte – The Municipality of Upi has officially attained stable internal peace and security (SIPS) status, marking a historic milestone as the town is formally declared insurgency-free. The local government credited this achievement to the strong partnership between the government, security forces, and peace partners, bolstered by UNDP’s arms management initiative, through the Assistance for Security, Peace, Integration and Recovery for Advancing Human Security in BARMM (ASPIRE) Project, supported by the Government of Japan.
The ASPIRE Project focuses on SALW (small arms and light weapons) management and information campaign initiatives in the provinces of Maguindanao del Norte and Basilan. Demonstrating the critical link between arms management and development in areas with high levels of illegal weapons proliferation, this comprehensive SALW program has fostered local community trust and cooperation, which are essential for peacebuilding efforts.
Mayor Ma. Rona Cristina Piang-Flores underscores the importance of strong partnership in achieving stable internal peace and security (SIPS) status in the municipality of Upi.
In her speech, Upi Mayor Ma. Rona Cristina Piang-Flores acknowledged the contributions of various stakeholders supporting the municipality’s efforts towards stability: “Today not only marks the culmination of this meaningful program, but the beginning of bigger opportunities and renewed hope for every family and the community in Upi. Over the past three years, the ASPIRE Project demonstrated the power of partnership, commitment, and shared responsibility toward building a safe, productive, and peaceful community.”
SALW management efforts resulted in significant community support since their implementation in November 2024. In Upi, ASPIRE supported the registration of 648 small arms and light weapons (SALWs), with 490 voluntarily turned in and 158 stenciled. This signals growing trust, cooperation, and community participation in the peace process.
Agriculture serves as the economic backbone for a diverse Tri-People population of Moro, Indigenous Peoples, and Settlers in Upi. One key aspect of the ASPIRE Project is incentivizing SALW owners who turned in their weapons with socio-economic interventions. They received support such as: tractors with disc plough and a unit of multi-purpose drop side truck for the LGU and the community members; multiple sacks of fertilizers, hybrid corn seeds, baking equipment, sewing machine, carpentry tools, farm tools, three-wheeled vehicles, and motorcycles, for the SALW owners. These investments were identified through a series of community needs assessments and resource profiling to enhance their productivity, income generation, and livelihood capacity.
Forty-two-year-old Joy Minted Datuwata, a SALW owner from Barangay Ganasi, shared that turning in his firearms gave him and his family relief: “Turning in our weapons removed the threat of violence from our lives. It gives us a sense of peace knowing that we no longer possess weapons. The socio-economic support from ASPIRE gives us greater assurance of improved livelihoods.”
SALW owner Joy Minted Datuwata hopes for improved livelihood productivity after receiving support from the ASPIRE Project following the voluntary surrender of firearms.
BTA-BARMM Member of the Parliament Ramon Piang Sr. and Governor Datu Tucao Mastura, who were also present during the ceremony, hailed ASPIRE’s intervention as a strategic blueprint for the BARMM. Both underscored the viability of ASPIRE as a broader program in the region, citing the tangible dividends of peace achieved in the communities through SALW management and sustainable peacebuilding efforts.
“I hope that ASPIRE will be replicated throughout BARMM. I also acknowledge the community members who voluntarily turned in their weapons. One message is clear: you want a peaceful life. After years of witnessing violence, we want peace as we navigate the ongoing peace process in the region,” MP Ramon Piang Sr. expressed.
Meanwhile, the Joint Normalization Committee from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (JNC-MILF), represented by Head of Secretariat Aliudin Harron, stressed how Upi has demonstrated a powerful symbol of unity for the Tri-People, who are working side-by-side to push for peace and development: “Reaching this level of peace was only possible because every sector stepped up and contributed. We’ve seen that peace becomes much more stable and lasting when it is built on a foundation of livelihoods, education, essential services, and a government that includes everyone.”
In his closing message, UNDP ASPIRE Project Specialist Ronnie Arap Jr. highlighted the inclusive participation of the community, the local government, and the security sector across project components. The transition from participating in awareness campaigns about the dangers of possessing weapons, dialogues and consultation with stakeholders, including women and youth, and finally to turning in SALWs, was driven by trust and vision for a peaceful Upi.
“As the ASPIRE Project concludes, we hope that the foundations of peace we’ve built together will last through your leadership and continued advocacy of what we achieved. We believe that true peace must come with real opportunities and development for everyone,” UNDP ASPIRE Project Specialist Ronnie Arap Jr. shared.
Government partners, community members, security forces, and peace partners come together in Upi’s declaration of stability and safety—an act of trust built through sustained cooperation.
The ceremony was witnessed by key partners, including the 6th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, the PNP Regional Office (PRO)-BARMM, the Joint Normalization Committee, the Joint Peace and Security Committee,and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU). [E]
About ASPIRE
UNDP Philippines implements the ASPIRE Project in support of the normalization track of the Bangsamoro peace process, with funding from the Government of Japan and in partnership with the Joint Normalization Committee (JNC). The project combines the management of small arms and light weapons (SALWs) with socio-economic interventions and social cohesion initiatives, fostering human security, resilience, and inclusive development in conflict-affected communities.
Related
content
content
