THE Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) is now in the final stretch of its campaign to declare all provinces and municipalities under its jurisdiction free from insurgency, marking a significant stride in the government’s decades-long fight against communist armed groups in Mindanao.
According to Eastmincom spokesperson Lt. Col. Salvacion Evangelista, the declaration of insurgency-free status is already in the works for several remaining areas, supported by ongoing military and development operations. These efforts aim not only to neutralize remnants of the New People’s Army (NPA ) but also to sustain peace through long-term, community-based initiatives.
“We are working on the declaration of insurgency-free and also the sustainment activities of the soldiers continue under the area of 10th Infantry Division,” Evangelista said during a peace and security briefing held on August 6 at The Royal Mandaya Hotel in Davao City.
She explained that the military is focused on maintaining its presence in previously conflict-affected areas while deepening its collaboration with local government units (LGUs) to roll out programs that address the root causes of insurgency such as poverty, lack of basic services, and socio-economic isolation.
The unified commands of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is responsible for overseeing military operations in the eastern part of Mindanao, especially in the 10th Infantry Division’s areas in regions 11 (Davao Region) and 12 (Soccsksargen), as well as the 4th Infantry Division’s jurisdiction in regions 10 (Northern Mindanao) and 13 (Caraga). These units have played a central role in dismantling guerrilla fronts and encouraging the surrender of former rebels through the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-Clip).
The shift in strategy from purely military actions to a more comprehensive peace and development framework has proven effective, Evangelista said, as communities once influenced or infiltrated by armed insurgents are now transitioning into stable and development-ready areas. Local governments have been vital in this process by implementing livelihood support, infrastructure projects, and peace education initiatives.
The anticipated full declaration of insurgency-free status in Eastern Mindanao is expected to pave the way for increased public and private investments, particularly in agriculture, tourism, and small enterprise development, where progress was once hindered by threats of violence and conflict.
This year, the security outlook for Davao Region remains highly favorable. In 2025, there have been no significant threats or reported presence of the NPA in the region, a development that the military and local stakeholders attribute to the continued cooperation among security forces, LGUs, and former rebel returnees.
Recent reports by SunStar Davao affirm that the Davao Region has remained free from active NPA threats throughout the year, reinforcing EastMinCom’s claim that the region is nearing the complete eradication of insurgency.