THE AREAS under the Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom), particularly the Davao region, remain free from insurgency with no new recruitment recorded by the New People’s Army (NPA), according to EastMinCom spokesperson Major Salvacion Evangelista.
“The Davao Region remains insurgency-free. In Caraga, under the 4th Infantry Division’s area of responsibility, soldiers continue to conduct Community Support Programs and community-based activities to maintain peace,” Evangelista stated in a recent Davao Peace and Security press briefing.
She added, “Troops are still deployed in other areas under the 10th Infantry Division.”
The Army official also confirmed no reports of NPA recruitment in the region, stating, “Some rebels have actually surrendered.”
EastMinCom covers regions 10, 11, and 13.
In a recent forum, EastMinCom commander Lt. Gen. Rex Luis Bergante highlighted the command’s success in internal security operations.
“Over the past four years, we have effectively addressed internal security concerns. In fact, on August 12th, we formally dismantled the last NPA Guerrilla Front, Guerrilla Front 30, in Surigao del Sur,” he said.
The focus now shifts to “healing and reconciliation to alleviate the pain caused by the 50-year insurgency,” Bergante added.
The government is committed to supporting those who have returned through an enhanced integration program.
Furthermore, the 10th Infantry Division, under Major General Allan Hambala, has successfully dismantled all guerrilla fronts and vertical units within its area of responsibility, ahead of schedule.
The division is now pursuing the remaining members of these dismantled groups—estimated to be fewer than 20 individuals—who are currently at large outside the Davao region.
Hambala emphasized the division’s focus on stability and sustainment operations to prevent the resurgence of rebel groups and discourage recruitment.
Photo by Rhoda Grace Saron
