Provincial Peace and Order Council declares Davao Oriental 'insurgency-free’ | Inquirer News

Provincial Peace and Order Council declares Davao Oriental ‘insurgency-free’

/ 11:55 AM September 21, 2022

Davao Oriental NPA free

(INQUIRER FILE) 

MANILA, Philippines— Davao Oriental has been declared “insurgency-free” by members of the Provincial Peace and Order Council after a series of interventions dismantled the remaining front of the communist New People’s Army (NPA).

On Monday, members of the Provincial Peace and Order Council approved a resolution declaring Davao Oriental as insurgency-free and development-ready after the NPA’s Guerrilla Front 18 was dismantled.

Article continues after this advertisement

Two insurgents still remain in the province but are insignificant, according to Brigadier General Oliver Maquiling of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

FEATURED STORIES

“They can no longer implement the basic function of the front because they have no political and military structures to carry out their purposes of its creation,” Maquiling said in a statement, adding that all areas of the Davao Oriental are now cleared and no more “influenced area” left.

READ: 5 NPA rebels killed in Davao Oriental

Article continues after this advertisement

The insurgency-free declaration was also based on the result of the evaluation and validation made by the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Philippine National Police (AFP-PNP) Joint Area Clearing Evaluation Board and the AFP-PNP Joint Area Clearing Validation Committee and is awaiting confirmation and final approval at the national level.

Article continues after this advertisement

Maquiling pointed its success to the convergence of government agencies in implementing various peace and development programs on top of military operations.

Article continues after this advertisement

“We saturate the [communist terrorist group] concentration areas with convergence forces, services, and interventions,” said Maquiling.

Meanwhile, Davao Oriental Governor Corazon Malanyaon noted that it was “high time” for the insurgency-free declaration as they are promoting tourism.

Article continues after this advertisement

“We have what it takes to be a premier tourist destination, and Davao Oriental is worth visiting. But we also have to consider that the tourism industry is too sensitive to peace and order,” she said. — Catherine Dabu INQUIRER.net trainee

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

TAGS: Insurgency, NPA

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.