LOCAL officials and military commanders on Thursday, May 28, marked the second anniversary of San Fernando municipality being declared free of communist insurgency with a cross-border tribal peace covenant aimed at protecting ancestral domains.
The commemoration, held at the San Fernando Municipal Gymnasium, was anchored by the signing of the “Pakigsaad” (peace covenant).
The agreement binds tribal leaders of San Fernando with their counterparts from the neighboring Davao del Norte municipalities of Talaingod, Kapalong, and Santo Tomas in a collective commitment to resolve conflicts through dialogue and insulate their communities from security threats.
San Fernando, once a flashpoint for New People’s Army (NPA) activity along the Bukidnon-Davao border, was officially cleared and declared insurgency-free in 2024.
Brigadier General Christopher M. Diaz, commander of the 1003rd Infantry Brigade, representing 10th Infantry Division commander Major General Alvin V. Luzon, stressed that maintaining these security gains requires aggressive, continuous collaboration to protect vulnerable sectors.
“We urge the Local Government Unit of San Fernando and its residents to remain vigilant in protecting the youth and Indigenous Peoples communities from the influence of insurgent groups,” Diaz said, reiterating the military’s commitment to a “whole-of-nation” approach to lasting stability.
San Fernando Mayor Rogelio C. Yeke credited the sustained peace to the close coordination between the civilian government, the Philippine Army, and the Philippine National Police.
During his address, Yeke paid tribute to the soldiers and law enforcement personnel who lost their lives during the years-long campaign to clear the municipality.
Security officials noted that the Pakigsaad covenant is a critical mechanism for border control and monitoring, as the rugged boundaries between Bukidnon and Davao del Norte historically served as mobility corridors for the underground movement.
Also present to back the peace milestone were Brigadier General Eufracio Malig Jr., 10ID assistant division commander; Lieutenant Colonel Antonio G. Bulao I, commanding officer of the 89th Infantry Battalion; Lt. Col. Jesus Rosete of the 60th Infantry Battalion; and Police Colonel Oliver Navales, provincial director of the Bukidnon Police Provincial Office.
With the security framework holding for 24 months, municipal officials said the focus has fully shifted toward strengthening basic government services, community infrastructure, and development programs in previously conflict-affected IP communities.
