The 10th Infantry Division (10ID) is aiming to clear the remaining seven municipalities within its areas of responsibility this year to officially achieve a 100% “insurgency-free” status.
While the division reports zero active New People’s Army (NPA) armed units, the formal declaration for the final seven towns currently rests on the completion of documentary requirements by respective local government units (LGUs) and Peace and Order Councils.
During the Davao Peace and Security press briefing on Wednesday, Jan. 28, Major Ruben Gadut, 10ID Public Affairs Office Chief, clarified that the military has neutralized the armed threat, but administrative processes remain.
The ‘final seven’ and the AOR
According to Gadut, the 10ID’s vast jurisdiction spans several regions, but the remaining hurdles are concentrated in the northern portion of their operations.
Region 13 (Agusan del Sur): Municipalities of Loreto, Bunawan, Trento, Sta. Josefa, San Francisco, and Veruela, along with a barangay in La Paz, are still awaiting declaration.
Region 13 (Surigao del Sur): While Barobo, Tagbina, Hinatuan, and Bislig have been cleared, Lingig remains the final undeclared municipality in that sector.
Gadut emphasized that areas in the 2nd District of North Cotabato, parts of Sarangani Province, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and 10 municipalities in Bukidnon have already achieved insurgency-free status.
