BY JOREYLENE ROJO/DNSC Intern
THE 10TH Infantry Division (10th ID) assured that no active communist guerrilla units are terrorizing residents of Davao City and most of its areas of responsibility.
During the Davao Peace and Security press briefing at The Royal Mandaya Hotel on Wednesday, Feb. 18, Maj. Ruben Gadut, chief of the Division’s Public Affairs Office, explained that while troops continue to monitor so-called “white areas” and underground support networks in Davao City, the military implements programs to encourage former rebels, especially those in hiding, to return to the government.
“We have no local terrorist group in the area; there remains zero activity. So, it’s clear that in terms of the Communist Terrorist Group, we have no active NPA units in the 10th ID’s area of responsibility,” Gadut said.
The 10th ID covers Davao City, Davao Region, and parts of Socsksargen, Agusan del Sur, and Surigao del Sur.
Recent surrenders included 92 former rebels in Talaingod last month and 101 more formally presented on Feb. 17 in Mati City. Of the latter, three surrendered through police efforts and 98 through Army battalions, turning over 42 firearms. This brings the total number of surrenderers since January to 201, along with 77 assorted firearms recovered.
Gadut added that the latest surrenders involved former rebels who were already inactive and only resurfaced formally. He assured the public that security forces will continue operations to maintain peace and stability in the area.
