Sara highlights success in dismantling NPA front

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 17, 2022): Sara highlights success in dismantling NPA front (By Che Palicte)

LAST SOCA. Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio delivers her State of the City Address (SOCA) on Thursday (March 17, 2022) as she bids farewell to the Dabawenyos. She is the running-mate of presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. (Screengrab)

DAVAO CITY – Mayor Sara Z. Duterte commended the efforts of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), and Peace 911, for the successful dismantling of New People's Army (NPA) Guerilla Front 55 (GF55) in Paquibato district here.

She enumerated the law enforcement units’ accomplishments against the communist insurgency during her virtual Valedictory and State of the City Address (SOCA) on Thursday.

"Even before the creation of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) in 2018, we already sought to address insurgency through a concrete local government program," Duterte said.

In January this year, the AFP’s Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) declared it has dismantled the NPA's GF 55, Sub-Regional Committee 5 (SRC 5), Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC), following the surrender of 12 of its top-ranking leaders.

In August last year, Ariane Jane Ochate Ramos alias Marikit, the secretary of GF 55, SRC 5, SMRC, surrendered to the military.

Marikit is responsible for various atrocities in Paquibato District in this city, the military said.

In September 2017, under her supervision, Sara said the Davao City Local Peace Committee was formed to put an end to the atrocities committed by the NPA in the city.

Peacebuilding

"Through DC Peace, which eventually became Peace 911, we spoke to the residents of Paquibato – the area that was once the stronghold of the NPA," the mayor said.

Duterte also noted that the city government regularly brought in government services and private sector initiatives to various communities.

"We opened direct lines from the community to the mayor’s office, built more roads and bridges, empowered residents with various projects and skills training, provided a gateway for them to sell their produce, and even employed former members of underground mass organizations as peacebuilders to help the local government sustain the peace," she said.

With the success of Peace 911, it was awarded the Kapayapaan National Award in 2018 by the AFP, she added.

Meanwhile, to ensure the proper reformation of former rebels (FRs), Mayor Sara said the Kalinaw Village was created. The village – a residential care facility - is housing FRs who wish to undergo reformation and return to the fold of the law.

The intervention plans for the village residents include partnerships with the residents’ families, barangays, AFP, and the PNP for their security in preparation for their reintegration into society.

In 2016, Duterte said the city government also launched the Tabangan Atong Reformist Aron Naay Asenso – Community-Based Rehabilitation and After Care Program (TARA NA–CBRAP).

"It provides aftercare support and helps prevent the recurrence of drug abuse among surrenderers. Since its inception, it has 6,953 individuals, helping them return to society with the support of their families, barangays, faith-based groups, schools, and other partners," she explained.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1170017