THE KALINAW-SEMR partnered with the 1001st Infantry Brigade, 1003rd Infantry Brigade, NCIP, 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.
Brigadier General Ronnie Babac, the commander of the 1001st Brigade, 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.
Colonel Gerry Besana, deputy brigade commander of the 1001st, and Colonel Banua, deputy brigade commander of the 1003rd, were also in attendance, offering additional insights and support to the assembly’s objectives.
The Kalinaw Davao del Norte Founding Assembly marks a significant step toward sustaining the hard-won peace and unity in Davao del Norte.
By strengthening ties between former rebels and the government, this event underscores a shared commitment to ensuring a future of enduring peace and development for all communities in Davao del Norte.
Photos courtesy of 10th ID