Cleared of NPA influence in Davao City
The economic condition of at least 16 far-flung barangays here is expected to improve after a local inter-agency body declared the villages free from the influence of the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
Brig. Gen Ernesto C. Torres Jr., commander of the Army’s 1003rd Infantry Brigade, on Friday said the 16 barangays were declared by the Area Clearing Validation Board (ACVB) on Wednesday to be “cleared of insurgency affectation”.
Torres said the 16 barangays are Atan-Awe, Kilate, and Tagluno in Toril district; Baganihan and Magsaysay in Marilog district; Dacudao and Gumalang in Baguio district; Lacson, Dalagdag and Lampianao in Calinan district; Sumimao and Pandaitan in Paquibato district; Tigatto and Indangan in Buhangin; and Gatungan in Bunawan.
The barangays, he said, brought the total number of NPA-cleared barangays in the city to 49.
“This is another step forward towards the attainment of lasting peace in Davao City,” Torres said, describing the villages as “peaceful and conflict-resilient communities.”
ACVB moved to clear them after meeting all the parameters for the clearing of insurgency-affected areas, such as dismantling of the CPP-NPA politico-military structure; denying the members of the communist armed organization access to their area; denying them of resources and manpower including mass base support; and the establishment of a functioning barangay information net and integrated community public safety system.
“The successful clearing was finally reached as a result of the months-long Community Support Team (CSP) deployment of the military, in close collaboration with the police, barangay officials and the Davao City government through the Peace 911 in addressing the issues that gave rise to insurgency,” he said.
Peace 911 is the city government’s development initiative to bring government services and infrastructure support to far-flung villages. The program is largely seen as a counterweight against the NPA, classified as a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union.
Torres said villages cleared of NPA affectation are expected to activate their barangay development council to address needs of their constituents.
He said 18 more barangays are under evaluation by the ACVB, composed of representatives of the PNP, Mayor Sara Z. Duterte, and barangay chairmen.
Torres assured the 1003rd IB would remain an active partner of the Davao City government in the implementation of peace and development programs to sustain the gains towards a lasting peace. (Lilian C Mellejor/PNA
