The anti-insurgency campaign in Davao City continues to earn positive results as the 1003rd Infantry (Raptor) Brigade of the Philippine Army dismantled two local guerilla units of the communist terrorist group New People’s Army (NPA) operating in Davao City.
These insurgent groups were the Guerilla Front (GF) 55, Sub-Regional Guerilla Unit, and Sub-Regional Committee 5, Southern Mindanao Regional Command.
“As far as Davao City is concerned, wala nang Guerilla Front unit [operating] technically, buong area ng 1003rd. We are the first brigade to completely eliminate all NPA units. Zero insurgents tayo sa buong AOR ng 1003rd Brigade,” BGen. Consolito Yecla, the Commander of the 1003rd Brigade said during the Ceremonial Victory Declaration held on Thursday, March 24, at the Rizal Park.
Davao City Acting Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte lauded the army in the dismantling of the insurgency groups.
“This achievement is a testament to the success of our unceasing campaigns against insurgency and terrorism. We applaud the leadership of the Philippine Army for their unwavering commitment to serving the people,” he said.
Also during the event, 78 former rebels (FRs) were introduced as Peace Champions for supporting the counter-insurgency campaign of the government. They were also given financial assistance by the City Government amounting to a total of Php 2.5 million.
A former high-ranking official of the GF 55 Ariane Jane Ramos formerly known as “Marikit” in the movement apologized to the Filipino people and vowed to contribute to the peace-building efforts of the government.
“We ardently hope that the entire Filipino people can accept our most profound apologies. Today, we are standing here in front of you not as former rebels but as Peace Champions. The whole leadership of the Sub-Regional Committee 5 and its members are ready to serve, to secure, and to protect the people from the communist infiltration in the whole area of responsibility,” she said.
The City Government of Davao continues to initiate peace-building efforts in Paquibato District through its Peace 911 program. CIO
