KALINAW Southeastern Mindanao (Kalinaw SEMR), a network of former CPP-NPA-NDFP members dedicated to peace and reconciliation, commends the people and government of Davao de Oro on the second anniversary of achieving an insurgency-free status.
This milestone underscores the dedication of individuals, organizations, agencies, and stakeholders to fostering peace, social justice, and the rule of law.
Kalinaw SEMR, recognized for its pivotal role in this achievement during a June 21 ceremony, acknowledges that sustaining peace requires ongoing efforts. The province’s journey from a former CPP-NPA-NDFP stronghold, with seven guerrilla fronts operating across over 130 barangays, to an insurgency-free zone is a testament to the power of unity and reconciliation.
The positive impact of peace is evident in Davao de Oro’s economic statistics. The number of impoverished families decreased by 16.59% between 2018 and the first half of 2021, highlighting the effectiveness of counterinsurgency efforts and the establishment of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).
However, Kalinaw SEMR emphasizes that fundamental socio-economic challenges persist, including inequality, low wages, and inadequate household incomes. These issues, which historically contributed to radicalization, require urgent attention to ensure lasting peace. Environmental concerns like illegal logging and irresponsible mining also need to be addressed.
Kalinaw SEMR calls upon its members, affiliate organizations, the provincial government, the 10th Infantry Division, the Eastern Mindanao Command of the AFP, and all stakeholders to remain vigilant in addressing these challenges and empowering former CPP-NPA-NDFP members and affected communities.
Celebrating Davao de Oro’s insurgency-free status should serve as a reminder of the ongoing work required to pursue justice, cultivate lasting peace, and create a secure and prosperous future for the province.
