Fresh troops arrive in Davao region.
Camp Felix Apolinario, Panacan, Davao City - Fresh
troops from Luzon arrived in Davao region 6:00 AM Sunday following
atrocities committed by the New People's Army in different parts of the
region.
The 71st Infantry Battalion led by Lt. Col. Camilo Ligayo arrived at
Hijo beach in Madaum, Tagum City ferried by Navy ships straight from
Manila to augment troops currently on hot pursuit operation against NPA
terrorists responsible in a deadly ambush in Maragusan town in
Compostela Valley (ComVal) province a day after the election which
resulted to the death of five individuals and wounded 12 soldiers and
civilians. The new troops are also to augment soldiers who are on a
mission to rescue four government troops being held hostage by the NPA
in ComVal.
Governor Arturo Uy of ComVal welcomed the arrival of the troops saying
they will help in the maintenance of peace and order. "Some might
criticize the arrival of new troops as militarization but it is not. It
is the will of the people to have additional troops to stabilize our
place. Their presence is needed to refrain those bringing chaos so that
progress and development can creep in. We can take the example of New
Bataan with the arrival of 66IB led by then Lt. Col. Manuel Sequitin,
they brought relative peace there and New Bataan is now gradually moving
forward." The governor said.
It may be recalled that abductions have been committed largely by the
NPA victimizing unarmed government troops, candidates and public
officials. Many innocent civilians have also been their victims in their
continued killings and they have been planting bombs on roads and
bridges. Recently, NPAs ambushed soldiers near a populated place in the
Toril District in Davao City which put the lives of civilians in great
danger.
Maj. Gen. Carlos Holganza, commander of the Army's 10th Infantry
Division immediately issued the marching order to the new troops in
light of the atrocities the NPA committed. "We cannot go on forever like
this; we cannot let such despicable acts go unpunished. The Armed Forces
of the Philippines bowed to the clamor of the people to bring these
terrorists to justice. It is our sworn duty to protect our people and
bring stability in this region." Holganza said
Authorities said another infantry battalion and units from Special
Forces and Scout Ranger together with Engineer, Medical and Civil
Military Operations units will also arrive for peace and development
projects and community outreach in the next couple of weeks.
"The arrival of new troops will not mean war but enhanced security
measures to protect our people. We have to put criminals behind bars.
The troops that will be arriving will also ensure that peace and
development efforts will be paramount and that the rights of the people
will be respected at all times." Holganza concluded.
Davao region is one of the national priority areas in the country due to
the presence of armed groups actively terrorizing people and extorting
money from businesses and ordinary citizens.
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