DAVAO CITY — The soldiers and personnel of the 10th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army will not celebrate Christmas because will remain in the hinterlands to dismantle the remaining front of the New People’s Army in Bukidnon province and make it insurgency-free before the new year.
Brig. Gen, Allan Hambala, commander of the 10thID Agila division on Wednesday told Newsline Philippines, “Their presence is not that significant but they are the only remaining front of the New People’s Army in the province of Bukidnon, we need to crash them before the New year.”
“We already crashed the big fronts in Davao Region and those under our command in Cotabato Province. The remaining group is in Bukidnon, we need to finish it, because that is our timeline,” Hambala emphasized.
The rebels in Bukidnon province are currently sitting in the mountains particularly in the hinterlands of San Fernando, Quezon and Maramag, some of them are from Davao City who sought refuge during the massive military operations here which led to the collapse of their fronts.
“The Bukidnon rebel group is the only group which we need to demolish because we can spend Christmas and I am determined because I know our strength,” Hambala emphasized.
The local government support
In other provinces, Hambala added, “The army was able to execute, cleared the area and defeated the enemy of the state because the elected officials have thrown their support, but, Hambala said, in Bukidnon province “We are continouosly asking the support of the policical leaders, their support is very crucial to us.”
Some political leaders and at least two Governors, have walked extra miles to help by going to their allies in Bukidnon to help the military in their effort to clear the communties from the influence of the New People’s Army “We are trying our best and our soldiers are willing to work even on Christmas to end the problem. I know we can make it because it is our duty to secure the land.”-Editha Z. Caduaya
