DAVAO City Councilor Edgar Ibuyan Jr. said it’s a combined effort from the security forces and the LGU to maintain the insurgency-free status of the city.

“It’s not a one-person mandate. It’s a consolidated effort of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, government officials, and of course mga katawhan sa siyudad sa (the people of) Davao,” Ibuyan said on June 8.

Ibuyan, who is also the chairperson of both the Committee on Anti-Terrorism and the Committee on Public Works and Highways, said that the desire to maintain the insurgency-free status should be a “common goal of the city.”

Under the Anti-Terrorism Committee, which is a new committee created during the start of the incumbent 20th City Council, Ibuyan said that they are currently studying the needs of Davao to address concerns on terrorism and insurgency.

“We are waiting on the recommendation of our various offices from the AFP, PNP nga kung unsa tong mga pamalaod nga pwede mabuhat para sa siyudad sa Davao (about the possible policies we can implement for the city of Davao),” he said.

One of the main focuses is to prevent the entry of rebel groups and identify terrorists.

“The goal is kung asa ta nag chairperson, magkaroon gyod og ordinansa na may kabuluhan (to make relevant ordinances). Dili ta pwede basta-basta mag buhat og ordinansa (We can’t just come up with ordinances) without the expertise of our security forces,” Ibuyan added.

In April, Davao City celebrated the first anniversary of the city’s insurgency-free status.

The city council declared Davao City as insurgency-free on March 24, 2022 through resolution 0115-22 passed on July 19 of the same year. ICM