BRIG. GEN. Ronnie Babac, commander of the 1001st Infantry Brigade, dismissed reports of New People’s Army (NPA) recruitment activities within their area of responsibility.
“We haven’t monitored any such activities,” Babac said during the Davao Peace and Security Press Corps briefing on Wednesday.
“However, we continue our efforts to engage the youth sector through the Kalinaw Security Engagement Mechanism (SEMR), a third-party organization that facilitates community dialogues.”
He added that the “Youth for Peace” in Davao de Oro, supported by Governor Dorothy Gonzaga and various companies, also contributes to the efforts to thwart NPA presence in the province.
Despite the absence of monitored NPA activity within their area, Babac said the brigade remains on moderate alert due to the enemy’s presence in the neighboring areas of the 10th Infantry Division, particularly in Caraga.
Recently, the Kalinaw-SEMR partnered with the 1001st Infantry Brigade, 1003rd Infantry Brigade, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, and the provincial local government unit (PLGU) of Davao del Norte, held a two-day assembly for former rebels of Davao del Norte at Samana Beach Resort, Barangay Tagnanan, Mabini, Davao de Oro, from Oct. 25-26, 2024.
With the theme “Pag Panday sa Bag-ong Dalan sa Kalinaw” (Forging a New Path for Peace), the event brought together 250 former rebels organized as Kalinaw Davao del Norte, reaffirming their commitment to peace and the government’s efforts to maintain an insurgency-free community.
Babac addressed the participants, emphasizing the critical role of Kalinaw-SEMR in fostering peace, healing, and reconciliation in the region.
His message encouraged collaborative efforts to entice more surrenderees and help them become productive members of society.
Kalinaw-Davao del Norte is dedicated to supporting the government’s peace-building goals, guided by the mission to insulate the province from the influence of Communist Terrorist Groups.
The assembly served as a platform for dialogue, sharing experiences, and discussing initiatives that further the collective peace and security objectives for Davao del Norte.
