Vice President Duterte Commends Anti-Insurgency Efforts in Davao Region

DAVAO CITY – Vice President Sara Z. Duterte praised the collaborative efforts of government agencies in Davao Region for achieving an insurgency-free status. Speaking at the Joint Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC)-11 meeting on Wednesday, Duterte highlighted the significant role of various stakeholders in maintaining peace within the region.

According to Philippines News Agency, the designation of Davao as an insurgency-free region was officially announced by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on October 27, 2022. This declaration followed a resolution by the Regional Peace and Order Council-11, endorsing the region’s status based on the successful suppression of insurgent activities.

Duterte, who also serves as the Education Secretary, emphasized the need for concerted efforts to prevent the recruitment of young Filipinos by the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF), particularly targeting indigenous youth. She stressed the critical importance of anti-insurgency programs across government agencies and offices, noting their impact on the future of local communities and the nation’s youth.

The Vice President cautioned against complacency, pointing out that maintaining an insurgency-free status does not ensure that insurgents will not attempt to re-enter and influence communities. She mentioned the potential for issues or complaints to be exploited by the CPP-NPA-NDF to rekindle movements within communities.

Duterte reiterated the President’s stance that community development remains the most effective strategy for combating insurgency. She also commended the role of the joint regional TF-ELCAC meetings in facilitating discussions on how to sustain peace in the region. During the meeting, Duterte led the ceremony to award the National TF-ELCAC Gawad Parangal to various agencies recognized for their contributions to ending armed conflict in Davao Region.

Special appreciation was given to Presidential Assistant for Mindanao-Eastern (OPAMINE) Secretary Leo Tesoro Magno for his efforts in uniting stakeholders to discuss and promote peace and order in the region.