FOUR YEARS after eliminating communist rebel influence, Davao del Norte officials and the 10th Infantry Division leadership gathered to mark the anniversary of the province’s declaration as an insurgency-free territory.
The commemoration, held on Friday, July 3, at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex, brought together top military brass, local executives, and peace advocates to celebrate a peace that many once thought impossible.
Davao del Norte was officially declared free from communist insurgent control in 2022, following a coordinated push by state forces and local government units.
Before that, the province—particularly the rugged terrain of the Pantaron Mountain Range in Talaingod—served as a notorious stronghold for the New People’s Army (NPA).
Major General Alvin Luzon, commander of the 10th Infantry Division, reflected on the deep scars left by the decades-long conflict during the event.
He noted how rebel forces systematically exploited indigenous cultural communities, recruited vulnerable youth, and isolated families from basic economic opportunities.
Today, that narrative has completely shifted. The Agila Division confirmed that its entire area of operations remains strictly insurgency-free, with zero active NPA units monitored across its jurisdiction.
A highlight of the anniversary was the rollout of the government’s reintegration programs under the “whole-of-nation” approach.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) XI distributed immediate financial assistance and livelihood support packages to eight newly surrendered individuals, referred to as “friends rescued.”
The aid package is designed to provide former rebels with the capital, agricultural tools, or vocational training needed to transition into peaceful, productive citizens.
While the mood at the sports complex was celebratory, military leadership made it clear that the end of active fighting does not mean the end of the mission.
For the 10ID, the focus has completely pivoted to sustainability —ensuring that economic poverty or political neglect does not reopen old wounds for rebel recruiters to exploit.
“Today, our greatest task is to safeguard the peace we have won, strengthen the trust we have built, and ensure that the next generation will never have to experience the fears of the past,” Luzon declared during his address.
With Governor Edwin Jubahib, national officials, and tribal leaders standing unified at the event, the province reaffirmed its commitment to keeping Davao del Norte a secure, resilient, and economically booming haven in the region.
