MACO, Davao de Oro – Sustaining the gains of being an insurgency-free province is a challenge, the government instrumentalities and the people need to continue the momentum and it entails a lot of endeavors and services, because of these, a collaboration was forged among stakeholders through a pact on July 6, 2023, at the Provincial Capitol, Barangay Cabidianan, Nabunturan.
The pact was aimed at forging stronger alliance thru the Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Committee which was signed by and between the 1001st Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army and Davao de Oro Provincial Police Office of the Philippine National Police.
Through the document signed, the parties vowed and committed themselves and agencies to collaborate in the name of peace.
The activity aims to strengthen collaboration and partnership between the two security forces in the conduct of Peace, Law Enforcement, and Development Support Operations to prevent the resurgence of the Communist Terrorist Group and sustain the province’s insurgency-free status.
The peace deal bonded the parties to undertake continuous identification and validation of potential resurgence areas or barangays in Davao de Oro to ensure that problems and exploitable issues are addressed by the concerned Local Government Unit and Line Government Agencies.
The event was attended by Brigadier General Felix Ronnie Babac, Commander of 1001st Brigade together with his staff officers; Police Colonel Benedicto Faco, Provincial Director of the DDO PPO with his Staff Officers; Battalion Commanders of 25IB and 60IB with their staff officers and Company Commanders; the Chiefs of Police of the 11 Municipalities of Davao de Oro; DILG Provincial Office of Davao de Oro and Honorable Dorothy M Gonzaga, Provincial Governor represented by Hon Ruwel Peter Gonzaga, Congressman, 2nd District of Davao de Oro.
.In his message, BrigGen Babac, urged the collaborators to remain committed in sustaining the Insurgency-free status of the Province.
“Remember that in sustaining our gains from an insurgency-free area of responsibility requires a long-term commitment, as the underlying causes of insurgency can take time to address fully. It is essential to maintain vigilance, adopt to evolving threats and continuously engage with local communities to prevent the resurgence of insurgency.” BGen Babac emphasized.
On June 22, 2022, the province of Davao de Oro was declared an Insurgency-free province, people regained their freedom against influence of the Communist New People’s Army through the unified effort among peace stakeholders.
The Insurgency-Free declaration was the crown of the provincial government, the military, the police and the residents who now enjoy peaceful communities and development is now tangible because people now fully supports all government endeavors and the military is supporting the communities in many endeavors.-ezc
