The 67th Infantry Battalion conducting Peace and Development
Outreach Program (PDOP) in the First District of Davao Oriental denounced the
accusations of the Communist Party of the Philippines
PDOP is part of the “Whole of Government Approach” to
resolve issues on the ground especially those that directly affect the peace
and development situation in the area. Peace and Development Teams (PDTs) of
67th Infantry Battalion were already deployed in post-conflict areas (PCAs) of
Boston, Cateel, Baganga and Caraga, Davao Oriental and continuously conducting
peace advocacy and development programs, project and activities in those remote
areas which are considered “susceptible to CNN recruitment through
intimidations and fears” long before the AFP’s announcement of the SOMO on
December 18, contrary to the allegations of the NPA.
The deployment of PDTs is highly supported and appreciated
by the different Local Government Units (LGUs) and their constituents as
manifested in their Letter of Acceptance and the voluntarily executed Pledge of
Support to the AFP soldiers presence in those areas.
During this season of Christmas, gift-giving of food packs
for the residents, slippers and backpacks for the children is part of the
yearly activity of this Battalion to share something to our less-privileged
countrymen.
Normally, the PDTs activities in PCAs are community
assistances such as the delivery of different livelihood trainings and support
like Staple Food Production (Corn/Gulayan/Cassava/Peanuts), Livestocks Raising,
Fishponds, Small-scale business/IGP ventures, distribution of different farm input
seedlings to the populace and also related capability trainings on Humanitarian
Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) to prepare them in the event of
calamities.
Likewise, the AFP does the linkaging works on the
facilitation of Agricultural Post-harvest equipment, conduct of Medical/Dental
Mission, Community-based projects like the Water System, Extension Schools
PDTs in Barangay Malibago were already in the area since
second quarter of the year to secure the ongoing road rehabilitation from
Barangay Taytayan to Sitio Patong of Barangay Malibago which is a joint
PLGU/MLGU/AFP effort while PDTs in Sitio Bangas, Barangay Mainit were
conducting Needs Assessment Surveys (NAS) to identify the current issues and
concerns of the residents in order to be appropriately resolved in collaboration
with the Local Government of Davao Oriental together with line agencies.
On the other hand, PDTs in Barangay Binondo of Baganga have
just finished and turned over the Barangay Health Sub-station that they started
in 2013. The presence of military forces in these depressed areas is continuing
because they are mandated to protect and secure the people from all kinds of
threat.
Moreover, 67IB soldiers are there to secure the upcoming
government flagship projects that are usual targets of NPA attacks. These are
the following: Integrated Products Agri-farming, Hydro-electric power source,
Tourist sites development and Road concreting of Embarcadero-Binondo roadnet
under the OPAPP-PAMANA Projects.
“The good relationship between the AFP forces and civilians is
a living proof that the people in Davao Oriental are fed up already and do not
support and believe the NPA and its Communist Ideology as a solution to basic
problems in the communities. The populace really wanted development to flourish
in their areas and revive once and for all the unity among them through the
‘Bayanihan’ Spirit.” LTC Michael Banua, Battalion Commander of 67th Infantry
Battalion said.
“It saddens us that the NPA does not want development to
enter in these areas which ironically is the main issue that they are
exploiting unceasingly. Now that the government is seriously attending to these
issues and concerns, they are obstructing its implementation. If their cause is
really for the good of the people, why not lay down their arms and join us in
achieving lasting peace and development of our country,” Banua posed the
challenge.
Truth of the matter, the success of PDOP activities through
the “Convergence Effort” of LGUs/LGAs and the AFP that effectively address the
issues and concerns of the local populace by focusing also on “People-centered
Approach” really hurt the CPP-NPA and its Legal Left Organizations (LLOs) in
re-influencing their former mass bases as they have basically no more elbow
room to pursue their ill motives of destroying the image of the government and
conduct communist teach-ins by force and creating fears among the people if
they would not cooperate. Many of our countrymen testify that they are just
afraid or scared by the NPAs but do not believe anymore their Communist indoctrination
of fighting the Government, as a solution to achieving Peace and Development in
the countryside.
“We in the AFP and the rest of our stakeholders will
continue to be the catalysts for peace and development in Davao Oriental and
those ongoing humanitarian and non-violent efforts are consistent and in
adherence to the provisions of SOMO,” Banua said.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=720116
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