From the Philippine Information Agency (Dec 5): Philippine Army intensifies community engagement
MALUNGON, Sarangani Province -- The Philippine Army’s 1002nd Infantry (Bagwis) Brigade of the 10th Infantry (Agila) Division has strengthened its engagement with conflict-affected communities, an army official told Philippine Information Agency 12.
Cpt. Rey Balibagoso, civil-military operations officer and spokesperson of 1002nd Brigade said their conduct of Peace and Development Outreach Program (PDOP) in conflict-affected barangays within its area of responsibility is aimed at promoti local security and safety based on the needs and realities of communities.
“Through the PDOP, the civilian agencies understand that they too have roles and responsibilities to fulfill in relation to the fight against insurgency,” Balibagoso said.
“This program of the Army is a holistic approach to address this multi-dimensional problem that required multi-faceted solution since pure military solution is inadequate in addressing these internal security concerns,” he elaborated.
This, he explained further, makes an soldier as an agent of peace serves as catalyst to converge effort of local government units, line government agencies and other sectors of the society to address issues and concerns of the people, especially the vulnerable indigenous people in the uplands.
Balibagoso added that they have been successful in conducting PDOPs in remote barangays in Lake Sebu in South Cotabato as well as in Makilala and Arakan in North Cotabato and have empowered these upland folk.
With these PDOP’s issues such as ancestral domain were also addressed since they were also joined by other agencies like the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
Needs assessment surveys were also conducted by the soldiers, he said, wherein soldiers immersed in the barangays conduct house-to-house visitations, consultations, and dialogues to identify issues and bring these issues to the attention of civil authorities.
Livelihood trainings, peace building seminars, youth leadership summit and indigenous people leader’s forum are also conducted to capacitate these communities, he said.
Balibagoso cited an incident in Lake Sebu where over a thousand residents from remote barangays marched to the town center to hold an indignation rally against the New Peoples Army, following a series of PDOP activities in the area.
On August 30, Blaan and Tboli residents of Lake Sebu gathered at the town plaza to hold a peace rally in support to the peace and development campaign of the Philippine Army.
“We the IPs are peace-loving people. We do not want violent armed struggle espoused by the communist rebels. What my constituents need are basic services for health, education and livelihood,” Mayor Antonio Fungan said in his message during the rally.
Fungan emphasized that Lake Sebu is becoming a major tourist destination in the country; thus, he needs the help of security sector to maintain peace and order in the area.
Balibagoso likewise reported that its 27th Infantry Battalion recently deployed its Peace and Development Teams in upland barangays of T’boli, South Cotabato to conduct PDOP.
He added that PDOP in the area had limited the operations of NPA rebels and finally forced them to vacate the area.
At pre-designated constriction area, near the boundary of T’boli, South Cotabato and Maasim, Sarangani Province, particular at Sitio Tubak, Brgy Nomoh, Maasim, the 27IB encountered about 20 NPA rebels on November 4, 2014, he said.
The encounter resulted in death of three NPA rebels and seizure of nine high powered firearms. There was no casualty amongthe government troops.
For the fourth quarter of 2014 alone, there were three major encounters with the CPP-NPA resulting in death of eight NPA rebels and recovery of 21 high powered firearms. Only two soldiers were wounded in these encounters, Balibagoso noted in his report.
“The decisive engagements between our troops and NPA rebels were the result of PDOP; the NPAs are losing their ground”, Balibagoso said.
In all areas that PDOP is being conducted, the people are enlightened that they are part of the solution. They denounced the CPP-NPA-NDF and calls for support for the government, he said.
Colonel Ronald C. Villanueva, the Commander of 1002nd Brigade said the armed lawless group of NPA supported by militant groups must spare the indigenous people in their useless and futile armed struggle.
“The solution to social problem is for all the stakeholders including the armed group to come together in the Filipino spirit of Bayanihan and work on our commonalities to attain peace and development,” he said.
http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1611417751578/philippine-army-intensifies-community-engagement
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