Upi, Maguindanao del Norte – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Joint Normalization Committee (GPH-MILF JNC), together with the Local Government Unit of Upi, Maguindanao del Norte, and security sector partners, successfully conducted the small arms and light weapons (SALW) Caravan under the Assistance for Security, Peace, Integration and Recovery for Advancing Human Security in BARMM (ASPIRE) Project. 

Held at the Municipal Gymnasium in Barangay Nuro, Upi, the event marked a significant milestone in advancing the Bangsamoro peace process and promoting community security. 

The Caravan featured a symbolic showcase of turned-in weapons, underscoring the growing trust and cooperation among stakeholders and communities. A total of 648 SALWs were registered, including 490 turned-in firearms and 158 stenciled firearms in Maguindanao del Norte alone, as part of the ASPIRE Project's comprehensive SALW management initiative. 

The event gathered key stakeholders from the Philippine Government, MILF, Joint Normalization Committee (JNC), Joint Peace and Security Committee (JPSC), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), and local government units.

Member of the Parliament Ramon Piang Sr. of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority highlighted in his speech the greater meaning of the initiative: “Today's activity is more than just an activity. It is a commitment to human security. A reminder that lasting peace goes beyond the absence of conflict. Hindi ibig sabihin 'pag walang nag-aaway, peaceful na tayo. (It doesn't mean that if no one is fighting, we are already peaceful.) There is so much to look into. It means ensuring that our people are safe, they are healthy, they are educated and empowered to lead their lives with dignity.”

Beyond the symbolic turnover, the Caravan provided direct one-stop services to the public, including License to Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPF) registration and renewal, and information on the Amnesty Program, Joint Peace and Security Team (JPST), and other normalization mechanisms such as the JPSC. A total of 25 individuals completed firearm registration and renewal, while around 300 community members from Upi actively engaged in the ASPIRE activities.

UNDP’s ASPIRE Project Manager Sunao Hachiri emphasized that this milestone reflects the collective aspiration of various sectors: “The registration of 648 SALWs, including 490 turned in and 158 stenciled firearms, is a milestone that tells a story of communities choosing peace over conflict, of former combatants embracing the mainstream, and of institutions working hand in hand to create safer spaces for all. He further added: “We are deeply grateful to our donor, the Government of Japan, whose generous contributions make this caravan accessible and impactful. Their support is a clear signal that the international community stands with the Bangsamoro people in their pursuit of lasting peace. But let us be clear, this Caravan is not the end–it is a beginning.

The ASPIRE Project, funded generously by the Government of Japan and implemented by UNDP in the Philippines, supports the normalization process by promoting SALW management, community outreach, and socio-economic assistance. The Caravan forms part of a broader strategy to reduce horizontal violence and foster social cohesion and inclusive peacebuilding in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).