10th ID counts on convergence of LGUs, NGAs to end insurgency

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jul 3): 10th ID counts on convergence of LGUs, NGAs to end insurgency

COMPOSTELA VALLEY -- The 10th Infantry “Agila” Division  of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) counts on convergence of efforts of  the national line agencies and the local government  to  end insurgency.

In a press conference at Camp Manuel Yan in Mawab, Compostela Valley,  10th Inf. Div. commanding general Maj. Gen.  Ariel Bernardo  described as “whole of government approach” the  convergence of  government  delivery of services.

The 10th ID along the local government of Davao City and  the Office of the  Presidential Assistant on the Peace Process (OPAPP)  in June this year brought  the ARENA Serbisyo Caravan to Paquibato  known as   the lair of  “Kumander Parago.”

The AFP  also counted  the ARENA Serbisyo Caravan  as instrumental in  gaining back mass-base support of insurgency problem areas in Davao Oriental  which the 10th Inf. Div. last year declared as “insurgency-free.”

Bernardo  was glad of the support  and interest of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte  to introduce development initiatives particularly those that will lead to creating sources of livelihood for the people.

“People are expectant, we need to satisfy them para dili na sila ma-recruit (So they won’t get recruited),” he said.

Meanwhile,  Bernardo bared that forces of  the New People’s Army were noted thinning out and consequently problem areas  “are getting few”.

Bernardo said that Kapalong and Talaingod towns are the remaining insurgency-concern areas in Davao del Norte, while Laak, Maco, Mabini, Mawab and  Pantukan  in Compostela Valley are also beset with the same concern.

Bernardo viewed this as shrinking areas of influence of the NPA but he saw the need for the armed forces to go “inch-by-inch” down to every barangay, closely tying up with municipal mayors of insurgency-affected areas.

He  also banked on  the “redeployment of forces” as a consequence of  the Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro (CAB) implementation expected to result in the pulling out of AFP forces in the  Bangsamoro areas  once the Bangsamoro police force will be put in place.

“We can demobilize their movement if there is counter mobilization and social pressure,” he said as he explained  the need for the government to gain the support of people at the grassroots level.

“The strength of the enemy is not with firearms; their strength is still the people’s support,” he said. “If we can isolate them and sever their connection with the people, they will become insignificant no matter how many they are,” he added.

Aside from addressing the root-causes of insurgency, the 10th ID also adopts  coverage areas strategy that goes beyond political boundaries  to ward off NPAs taking refuge and building hide-outs at the boundaries of provinces.

He took as an instance the 701st Infantry Brigade which used to cover the entire province of Davao Oriental only but  it now  expands  its area coverage towards neighboring  Compostela Valley Province.

The 1003rd Infantry Brigade which covers  the entire province of Davao del Norte also  extends its reach and coverage in Davao City.  

http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=1591404372194