DAVAO CITY -- Several top brass from different units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) joined a fun run held in the once conflict-affected Paquibato district of this city.
Among the generals and colonels who joined the fun run held March 25 were Lt. General Felimon T. Santos Jr, Commander of Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom), Major Gen. Jose Faustino Jr, Commander of 10th Infantry Division, Col. Nolasco Mempin, Commander of the 1003rd Infantry Brigade, Brig. Gen. Ernesto Torres Jr., former Commander of 1003rd Infantry Brigade and Col Sharon Gernale, Wing Commander of Tactical Operations Wing -Eastern Mindanao, Philippine Air Force.
The fun run is part of the first year anniversary of PEACE 911, a peace-building initiative undertaken by the City Government of Davao to bring the much needed peace and development in Paquibato District which once saw deadly clashes between government forces and the New Peoples Army.
The fun run also includes 25-kilometers and 50-kilometers trail run and trekking to the various tourist spots in Paquibato namely Malabog, Paquibato Proper, Pañalum, Mabuhay, Paradise Embac and Lumiad .
During the first year anniversary celebration, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte awarded P1.985 Million worth of livelihood project to 14 former rebels from Paquibato. She also formally announced the expansion of PEACE 911 to 18 more Barangays of Davao City formerly affected by armed conflict.
This was followed by a vow of commitment from stakeholders to sustain the gains of peace and promised to work together to bring development in Paquibato.
"We shall be in the forefront of supporting different conflict and cultural sensitive initiative and other peace endeavors of the Local Government Unit of Davao City through the PEACE 911 that will resolve the issues that were used by the terrorist group in agitating and organizing the communities thereat." Lt. Gen. Felimon Santos Jr. said.
Paquibato has been a conflict affected area for many years, and was the guerilla base of New Peoples Army in Davao City. The far-flung district was declared conflict- free after a successful peace program was implemented by the Local Government of Davao City with a strong support from the security sector.
"The objective now is to sustain peace in Paquibato and make it durable," Lt General Santos Jr. added.
The fun run and trail run aims to showcase the beauty of Paquibato as the focus of the City Government is to sustain its development initiatives through their program dubbed as “Terrorism to Tourism.”
https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1022526
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