2 weakened NPA units left in southern Mindanao: 10ID

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 13, 2022): 2 weakened NPA units left in southern Mindanao: 10ID (By Christine Cudis)

SUSTAIN GAINS. Capt. Mark Tito, Philippine Army's 10th Infantry Division spokesperson, says that with the collapse of the armed communist rebellion, the military can now focus on productive aspects such as enhancing territorial defense. In a press briefing in Davao City Wednesday (April 13, 2022), Tito underscores the importance of sustaining the government's gains against the communist insurgency to prevent the revival of armed conflicts. (PNA Photo by Robinson Niñal)

Southern Mindanao only has two remaining "weakened" communist guerrilla units, enabling the Army's 10th Infantry Division (10ID) to focus on Barangay Development Program (BDP) initiatives.

In a press conference here Wednesday, Capt. Mark Tito, 10ID spokesperson, said the collapse of New People's Army (NPA) structures in its areas of responsibility has given the military the time to focus on "more productive aspects."

These include, he said, enhancing territorial defense" to protect the country's sovereignty.

"It is important that we continue to sustain these accomplishments of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The BDP shall be implemented properly, so we can make sure that issues will not resurface and may cause revival of insurgency," Tito said.

According to Tito, the Barangay Development Program plays a vital role in the ending of local communist conflict "because of its sole purpose: good governance."

BDP is a hallmark program of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), the whole-of-nation approach to attain inclusive and sustainable peace.

According to NTF-ELCAC, BDP was established with the end goal of bringing development to former conflict-ridden communities. It is directed to the sustainable rehabilitation and development of 822 barangays formerly established as guerrilla fronts of the CPP-NPA-NDF.

Under the BDP, each barangay is provided with PHP20 million each for their respective projects, for a total of PHP16.44 billion allocated funding.

Through the promotion of sustainable rehabilitation and development in former conflict-stricken areas, the NTF-ELCAC said this ensures that formerly neglected rural communities are provided with long-standing quality government services.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1172211