Peace in Davao still 'fragile' - Army official

DESPITE being declared insurgency-free, 10th Infantry Division (10ID) Commander Major General Nolasco Mempin said the peace situation in Davao Region is “fragile” if programs promoting peace are not sustained.

On October 12, 2022, the Regional Peace and Order Council Davao Region (RPOC Davao) declared the region as insurgency-free from communist terrorist groups (CTG).

Nolasco said to sustain this, the National Task Force in Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) program should still be implemented to avoid the resurgence of these groups.

“If ever na hindi natin ma-sustain 'yong ating mga programa, ‘yong ating mga actions taken to address 'yong mga issues sa ground, pwede parin siyang ma-recover (If we will not sustain the programs that we are currently implementing, as well the actions taken to address the issues from the ground, there’s a big chance of resurgence),” Mempin said.

He said for the past five decades of insurgency, several campaigns and programs have been implemented.

“Yong Armed Forces [of the Philippines] (AFP) parating may iba-ibang pangalan yong campaign, actually na-clear na [‘yong insurgency] tapos later on ma-realized na may influence na naman [from the CTG] (The AFP already created different campaigns to fight insurgency, there were instances when an area has already been cleared but later on a resurgence of influence from CTG is again noted),” Mempin said.

Mempin said the participation of the local government units (LGUs) will help them in sustaining peace and order in the region.

He said the community also needs to always practice the culture of security.

“Ina-advocate natin ‘yong culture of security. Dapat lahat tayo maging vigilant, so that ‘yong natamasa natin ngayon na magandang buhay, stable peace and order ay hindi na maging problematic later on (We are advocating the culture of security. Everyone should be vigilant so that we will be able to enjoy the good life, and the stability of peace and order will not be problematic later on),” Mempin said.

Also, Mempin said sustaining peace and order is a great challenge but if the involved sectors will work together in a fighting insurgency, the community will be able to achieve it.

“I hope ‘yong ating fellow Dabawenyos ay makipag-cooperate. Sama-sama tayong lahat at maging responsibility ng lahat ng Dabawenyo ang security ng Davao Region (I hope our fellow Dabawenyos will cooperate with us. All of us should take responsibility for the security of the Davao Region),” Mempin said.

Meanwhile, in the area of responsibility of 10ID, Mempin said they are still dismantling Guerilla Front 57 in Soccsksargen which has 14 manpower and 13 firearms. KSD