The new commander of the Philippine Army’s 6th Infantry Division (6th ID), Brigadier General Donald Gumiran, has garnered significant support from former extremists, local executives, and Bangsamoro regional officials for his cross-sector peacebuilding initiatives in Central Mindanao.
Gumiran assumed command of the 6th ID on Saturday during a turnover ceremony at Camp Siongco, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte. The event was officiated by Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, the commander of the Philippine Army.
He succeeds Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, now heading the Western Mindanao Command based in Zamboanga City, which oversees half of Mindanao, including the entire Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Former Extremists Turn Allies for Peace
In a remarkable show of support, three former members of the Dawlah IslamiyaโKassim Samsuddin Batua, Muktar Gamis Odin, and Mansur Inshua Kamirโhave pledged to assist Gumiran in convincing their remaining comrades in the Dawlah Islamiya and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) to lay down arms and reintegrate into society.
โThese groups are no longer as active as before, and we want to help bring our former companions back into the fold of law,โ said Batua.
The trio, once experts in crafting improvised explosive devices, are among the 264 former militants who surrendered over the past 14 months. Their reintegration was facilitated by Gumiran during his tenure as commander of the 602nd Infantry Brigade, in collaboration with Cotabato Governor Emmylou Talino-Mendoza and local mayors.
Provincial and Regional Backing
Governor Talino-Mendoza lauded Gumiran’s efforts, highlighting his success in fostering peace during his time in Cotabato Province. โWe will continue to support his initiatives now that he leads the Armyโs largest unit in Region 12,โ she said.
As chairperson of the Regional Development Council 12, Talino-Mendoza also pledged to help implement the governmentโs Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Management Program in Central Mindanao. The program aims to collect unlicensed firearms across Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, and Sarangani provinces.
BARMM Officials Join the Mission
Key officials from the Bangsamoro government have also committed their support for Gumiranโs peace agenda. Health Minister Kadil Monera Sinolinding Jr., Labor Minister Muslimin Gampong Sema, and Transportation Minister Paisalin Pangandaman Tago have all expressed their willingness to back the 6th IDโs interfaith solidarity initiatives and efforts to mediate conflicts among feuding Moro families.
Sema, who also chairs the Moro National Liberation Front, emphasized the importance of reconciliation and unity in sustaining peace in the region. โWe are ready to collaborate with Brig. Gen. Gumiran to ensure that the region moves toward lasting stability,โ he said in a statement.
A Renewed Push for Peacebuilding
Gumiranโs leadership comes at a critical time as Central Mindanao continues to recover from decades of conflict. With broad-based support from diverse sectorsโincluding former combatants, local government units, and the Bangsamoro leadershipโhis peacebuilding initiatives hold promise for a more stable and unified region.
By focusing on interfaith solidarity, conflict resolution, and disarmament programs, Gumiran aims to further the governmentโs vision of reconciliation and reintegration, building a foundation for sustainable peace in Mindanao.
