THE Davao City Peace and Order Council (CPOC) deemed the inclusion of the city in the 15-day ceasefire with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) unnecessary as the city has its own comprehensive peace-building program.
CPOC, on Thursday afternoon, December 26, announced their support to Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, who sought for the city’s exemption from the national government’s Christmas ceasefire.
Duterte-Carpio, in a previous statement, said the proposed negotiation would be “useless and deleterious” as the city has already institutionalized its own local peace initiative, the Peace 911.
Peace 911 is a comprehensive peace-building program of the Davao City government for conflict-affected areas of the city. It is primarily focused in Paquibato District and Barangay Dominga in Calinan District, areas identified as stronghold of the New People’s Army (NPA) terrorists.
CPOC, according to City Information Office press release, pushed for the exemption of the city from the ceasefire and the suspension of military operation (Somo), which is observed from December 23 to January 7 next year. CPOC is chaired by Duterte-Carpio.
1003rd Infantry Brigade commander Colonel Nolasco Mempin, said the exemption is beneficial to the city which already gains significant results in combating insurgency in the countryside through Peace 911.
Mempin said the request of the mayor is “greatly respected” by the military forces.
“Based on the situation on the ground and the wisdom of our political leaders, we respect and agree on the stand of the mayor,” he said.
“We also recognize the need to keep the security forces safe from any possible attack by the rebel group,” he added.
Duterte-Carpio said the passage of resolution seeking exemption from the declaration is based on the records showing violations by the communist insurgents of previous Somo and ceasefires.
“When there is a Somo, there is an increase of activities on the part of the NPA, they continue their recruitment in some other areas. Historically that is what we see on the data,” the mayor said.
Since Peace 911 was implemented, Duterte-Carpio said the people were given access to government agencies and non-government organizations that could help in the development of their communities for the first time. These agencies are the Cooperative Development Authority, Department of Trade and Industry, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
She added more NPA members and their supporters are also turning themselves into the government through the program.
“To be covered by the ceasefire or the peace negotiations, will only disrupt and threaten the gains of our process of peace and development in these communities formerly controlled by the terrorists,” Duterte-Carpio said.