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Davao cleansed from NPA infiltration, declared insurgency free

DAVAO CITY (PIA) - - Known as hotbed of communist insurgency, Davao Region recently claimed victory against the New People’s Army (NPA) as the Regional Peace and Order Council XI (RPOC XI) declared recently the whole region as insurgency free.

The declaration was enacted through RPOC XI Resolution No. 07, signed during the council’s Executive Committee Meeting on October 12, 2022 at Naval Station Felix Apolinario in Panacan, Davao City.

Prior to the declaration, the provinces and highly urbanized city in the region had declared its liberation from NPA affection starting with Davao City last March 24, 2022, then Davao del Norte on June 13, Davao de Oro on June 22, Davao del Sur on July 1, Davao Occidental on August 18, and Davao Oriental on September 19.

According to the report from the 10th Infantry Division, Davao Region has dismantled since 2016, 15 guerilla fronts, six Pulang Bagani Commands, and four Sub Regional Commands of the NPA’s Southern Mindanao Regional Command.

The Agila Division also recorded for the period of 2016 to 2022, a total of 1,749 NPA members neutralized, and 1,597 high and low powered firearms seized.

Major General Nolasco Mempin, commander of the 10th Infantry Division, attributed the success to the concerted efforts of the security groups, local government units, national government agencies, and to the communities of the region embodied in the Executive Order of Former President Rodrigo Duterte.

“Part of the declaration of this insurgency-free region comes the more challenging part which is the sustainment,” MGen Mempin said.

Although a bit challenged, all of the local government officials who attended the RPOC meeting committed to sustain the gains of having an insurgency free area and prevent the resurgence of the armed communist movement.

Incoming RPOC Chairman and Davao del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib emphasized the need to maintain the region’s cooperation for sustainable peace and order.

“We can do this if we maintain our solid network of cooperation in the region that encompasses all sectors to participate in our efforts to build a strong and sustainable peace and order in Region XI,” he said.

Mayor Jason John Joyce of the municipality of Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental stressed good governance as still the best solution in the ways ahead.

“To be able to maintain our status as an insurgency free region, still the best solution will be good governance, and the local government units will be in the forefront of this because we are at the grassroots level in providing basic services to our people,” Mayor Joyce said.

Major General Mempin also added that developments in the region will surely spur with declaration of being insurgency free.

“This means that economic development could really thrive and be pursued vigorously without fear of intimidation, harassment and sabotage coming from the CPP-NPA-NDF threat,” he added.

Mayor Michelle Rabat of Mati City, Davao Oriental hopes that even with the declaration, the army will still remain in the provinces as peacekeepers.

“Peace equals development, development equals progress, and progress means no insurgency. I’ve been telling our general, we still need the Philippine Army as peacekeepers to assure our tourists and investors coming in,” Mayor Rabat said.

Region XI is the third to declare communist insurgency free in the country; the other two regions are Zamboanga Peninsula Region (Region IX) last December 2021, and Ilocos Region (Region I) last March 2022. (PIA XI, Michae Uy)


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Michael Uy

Regional Editor / Writer

Region 11

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