From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 15): Army official identifies two conflict-affected areas in Davao region
A top military official here has identified two remaining conflict-affected areas in the insurgency campaign in theDavao region, namely Paquibato District in Davao City and Compostela Valley
Major General Ariel Bernardo, commander of the 10th Infantry Division, said the military is currently refocusing its efforts in clearing these areas from the presence of armed groups through the peace and development outreach program (PDOP).
He said their effort will include the outskirts ofDavao City all the way to other parts of North Cotabato like Arakan Valley , Magpet, Makilala and Tulunan in North Cotabato .
Bernardo said the soldiers are aware of the front organizations formed by the communist movement within the communities.
He said through the PDOP, the government will reach out to these groups and explain to them the drive for a lasting peace.
“Most of the front organizations are legal. So we will redirect their efforts for them to cooperate with the government instead of working for the communist movement,” Bernardo said.
He said the rebels and the government might have the same objective of a lasting peace.
Bernardo stressed that the only difference is that the rebels pursue their goals through armed struggle.
He firmly believes that the rebels can effectively work with government if they shift their struggle from armed to parliamentary.
Bernardo also assured that the entry of new military officers to the 10th ID cannot affect the implementation of the PDOP in its area of responsibility.
He said the new officers have undergone thorough immersion and evaluation by him personally.
“They have to understand the best practices being done by the 10th ID particularly the campaign strategies of the PDOP. Aside from being team players, they must buy in our best practices and co-own our efforts by being collaborative, cooperative and mission-focused,” Bernardo said.
He said five lieutenant colonels are due to assume as principals and battalion commanders of his contingent.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=605271
A top military official here has identified two remaining conflict-affected areas in the insurgency campaign in the
Major General Ariel Bernardo, commander of the 10th Infantry Division, said the military is currently refocusing its efforts in clearing these areas from the presence of armed groups through the peace and development outreach program (PDOP).
He said their effort will include the outskirts of
Bernardo said the soldiers are aware of the front organizations formed by the communist movement within the communities.
He said through the PDOP, the government will reach out to these groups and explain to them the drive for a lasting peace.
“Most of the front organizations are legal. So we will redirect their efforts for them to cooperate with the government instead of working for the communist movement,” Bernardo said.
He said the rebels and the government might have the same objective of a lasting peace.
Bernardo stressed that the only difference is that the rebels pursue their goals through armed struggle.
He firmly believes that the rebels can effectively work with government if they shift their struggle from armed to parliamentary.
Bernardo also assured that the entry of new military officers to the 10th ID cannot affect the implementation of the PDOP in its area of responsibility.
He said the new officers have undergone thorough immersion and evaluation by him personally.
“They have to understand the best practices being done by the 10th ID particularly the campaign strategies of the PDOP. Aside from being team players, they must buy in our best practices and co-own our efforts by being collaborative, cooperative and mission-focused,” Bernardo said.
He said five lieutenant colonels are due to assume as principals and battalion commanders of his contingent.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=605271