Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte recognized the efforts of the safety and security cluster in maintaining Davao City and the Davao Region insurgency-free during the commemoration of the 81st Araw ng Kagitingan on Monday.
“I thanked the Philippine Army and the Armed Forces of the Philippines for their untiring dedication to maintain peace and stability in Mindanao, which has resulted in various areas in the Davao Region now being insurgency-free,” the mayor said in his message during the wreath-laying ceremony at the Veteran’s Monument at junction Roxas-Ponciano Streets.
On March 24, 2022, Davao City was declared insurgency-free through resolution no. 0115-22, which was passed on July 19, 2022 while on September 19, 2022 the Regional Peace and Order Council-Davao (RPOC-11) declared Davao Region cleared from insurgents.
On March 28, 2023, the Davao City Council passed a resolution celebrating the anniversary of Davao City as insurgency-free.
Meanwhile, the commemoration in Davao City was joined by several military veterans led by the 100-year-old Teofilo Gamutan, Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte, 10th Infantry Division commander Major General Jose Eriel Niembra, and Task Force Davao Commander Col. Darren Comia.
“Our history shapes our future, and the sacrifices of our ancestors and our valiant veterans are the foundations that built the country. It is the bedrock upon which our nation today is a thriving sovereign state and an invaluable ally to our neighbors. We honor the memory and sacrifices of our veterans by remaining true to what they fought for, by keeping our families safe, and by appreciating the freedom we now enjoy as Filipinos,” the mayor said.
The mayor urged the Dabawenyos to recall the acts of valor of the heroes of the past and present.
“Let this be a way to inspire and encourage everyone, specially, our youth to become good agents of change and contribute to our ongoing pursuit of sustainable and lasting peace for our city and our nation,” he said.
