Army deploys peace, development teams in Davao villages

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The military is trying a new tack in reaching out to villagers to prevent them from joining the communist movement: peace and development programs.

Instead of beefing up its military operations, the Army’s 10th Infantry Division has deployed so-called peace and development teams to different communities in Davao del Norte, part of southern Mindanao, which is considered as one of the strongholds of the New People’s Army (NPA) in the country.

Maj. Gen. Jorge Segovia, 10th ID commander, said at least 14 of these teams were deployed in barangays in Ascuncion town, and nine others in Kapalong town.

Segovia said the deployment of these teams is part of the Armed Forces’ peace and development outreach program to help uplift the living conditions of locals and thus prevent them from being exploited by the insurgents because of their poverty.

Local governments have thrown their support behind the military’s initiative, as the soldiers can also contribute in addressing the pressing problems of local communities.

Last month, peace and development teams were also deployed in the towns of Mawab and Nabunturan in Compostela Valley under the supervision of the Army’s 66th Infantry Battalion and helped launch a dengue awareness and prevention advocacy program through clean-up drives.

For its part, the Army’s 71st Infantry Battalion, also based in Compostela Valley, launched last month a bloodletting activity in coordination with the local government and the Philippine National Red Cross.

The deployment of the peace and development team in Mawab town has reportedly resulted in the surrender of 10 NPA members since September.

Through these teams, Segovia said the locals have also become more vigilant against illegal logging and to some extent, criminal activities have been reduced.