16 more barangays to be declared insurgency free

From the Mindanao Times (Sep 20): 16 more barangays to be declared insurgency free

Sixteen more barangays in the city will be assessed by October before they can be declared as free from influence by the New People’s Army.

Speaking in yesterday’s AFP-PNP press briefing held at Task Force Davao headquarters, Brig. Gen. Ernesto Torres, the commander of the 1003 rd Infantry Brigade, explained that before a barangay can be declared cleared from insurgency, it will first be assessed by the evaluation board, which submits a recommendation to the validation board.

The board is composed of the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, local government units, and barangay captains.

“In area clearing evaluation board, 16 will be submitted to the validation board wherein here in the city Mayor Sara Duterte is a member,” he added.

The 16 barangays are Gumalang, Dacudao and Lacson in Calinan; Baganihan and Magsaysay in Marilog; Atan-awe, Kilate, and Tagluno in Toril; Dalagdag in Calinan; Pandaitan, Fatima, Sumimao in Paquibato; Tigatto and Indangan in Buhangin and Barangay Gatungan in Buhangin; and Lampianao in Calinan.

“Should these be validated from 48 plus the 16 barangays we’ll have a total of 64 barangays in the area of the 1003rd brigade that would be cleared of insurgency,” Torres said.

The parameters the validation board follows in declaring a barangay insurgengy-free include, “the dismantling of CPP-NPA politico-military structure; the denial of CPP-NPA access to the area, resources, and manpower; and the establishment of a functioning barangay information network and integrated community public safety system.”

http://mindanaotimes.net/16-more-barangays-to-be-declared-insurgency-free/