DAVAO City's Peace 911 received Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Kapayapaan Award 2018 for peace efforts in Paquibato district despite the insurgency problems in the area.

During Monday’s flag ceremony, the City Government of Davao, through Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, cited the award received by Peace 911 last December 11, 2018.

“We acknowledged the effort of Peace 911. I would like to thank them because it is their hard work and effort who brought about changes in Paquibato and who implemented the emergency project in Paquibato as intervention with the peace and order problems in the area,” Duterte-Carpio said Monday, December 17.

Meanwhile, Peace 911 peace adviser and consultant Irene Santiago said in a text message to SunStar Davao Tuesday that the award was to recognize the collaboration effort among the local government unit, the military, and the people of Paquibato.

“Direct violence such as we've seen in Paquibato for the last four decades have their roots in various inequalities suffered by the people,” Santiago said.

“Peace 911 has managed in the past six months to address the immediate issues of fear and hunger. We are now poised to develop with local people the needed socio-economic and political programs that will lead to peace and security,” she added.

Santiago also said that the barangay and their women, youth, farmers, indigenous peoples (IPs) and faith-based groups are all helping in peace efforts in the area.

“The Davao Peace Committee and the AFP committed are here to provide support. We commend Mayor Sara for giving us the mandate as well as the support to make peace possible in Paquibato,” she said.