Peace Village highlights the region of Davao’s progress towards peace
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PEACE VILLAGE. Vice President Sara Z. Duterte, guest of honor during the opening of the Peace Village at SM City Davao on Monday (Sept. 11, 2023), describes the exhibit as a special moment in Davao’s quest for enduring peace and prosperity. In October last year, the Davao Region was declared insurgency-free following the series of successful peace and order initiatives that dismantled the remnants of the communist New People’s Army in the area. (PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.)
MindanaoHerald | Peace Village highlights the region of Davao’s progress towards peace | DAVAO CITY – The Davao Region Peace Village exhibit at SM City Davao was launched on Monday by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) in Eastern Mindanao. The display highlights the region’s peace achievements that led to it being deemed insurgency-free.
The opening of the Peace Village, according to the honoree, Vice President Sara Z. Duterte, was a unique occasion in Davao’s pursuit of lasting peace and prosperity as it honours the Region’s insurgency-free status.
Davao Region was deemed “insurgency-free” in October of last year after the communist New People’s Army (NPA) remnants in the region were destroyed.
The development of Peace 911, the economic and peace and order programmes for NPA-influenced communities in the upland barangays, is what Duterte attributed for the city’s “successful” anti-insurgency campaign. It was developed when she was mayor.
According to Duterte, the civilian-led programme has earned the hearts of the populace in remote locations like Paquibato by implementing initiatives and programmes that provide them the chance to be productive.
When the NPA is not busy threatening transportation, agricultural, construction, or mining companies to extort money to fund their terrorist activities, the Vice President said, “It only means that the era of NPA murder of civilians and Lumad leaders, the killing of soldiers, and the use of landmines is over.”
Insurgency-free She claimed that with the establishment of Davao City, Dabawenyos, particularly those who live in hilly regions, would “now be able to sleep soundly at night and wake up the next day to a life full of hope, full of promise, and full of opportunities ahead of them.”
She claimed that the success of Peace 911 demonstrated the value of civilian and military cooperation in achieving and “sustaining the peace.”
“As I mentioned, keeping the peace is the hardest of all tasks. Let’s emphasise the value of reaching a consensus because it enables every community member’s voice to be heard and taken into account as we look for answers to the problems and worries of the people, Duterte continued.
The Office of the Presidential Assistant for Eastern Mindanao, meanwhile, praised the heads of several local governments for bringing about calm in the Davao Region.
According to Secretary Leo Tereso Magno, the Davao Region has shown the rest of the nation and the rest of the globe how to combat insurgency while fostering growth and peace.
“The opening of this Peace Village today shows how far the Davao Region has come in terms of peace and prosperity. And for this, we must be grateful to the OPAPRU. We also acknowledge the efforts of all the local government units (LGUs) in the Davao Region, as well as all other institutions, associations, and organisations, for their unflinching dedication to fostering a climate where peace, harmony, and togetherness can flourish.
Till September 13, the Peace Village exhibit will be on display. (via PNA)
