The NPA insurgent groups include Guerilla Front (GF) 55, Sub-Regional Guerilla Unit, and Sub-Regional Committee 5, Southern Mindanao Regional Command.
“This achievement is a testament to the success of our unceasing campaigns against insurgency and terrorism. We applaud the leadership of the Philippine Army for their unwavering commitment to serving the people,” Baste said during the Ceremonial Victory Declaration held on Thursday (March 24) at Rizal Park, San Pedro Street.
Duterte said he hopes that through joint initiatives more guerrilla fronts will be destroyed in Mindanao to achieve peace in the island.
Baste, meanwhile said he is planning to amend the city ordinance
on Anti-Discrimination to include the former NPA rebels who would like to be integrated in the mainstream society.
He said he would first talk to the members of 19th City Council for the
amendment of the Anti-Discrimination Ordinance.
“While you are in Davao City, you can assert your right by not being labelled as former rebels when you apply for a job or to just simply live in the city as an ordinary citizen,” he said.
78 rebel returnees who were introduced as peace champions during the victory declaration were given financial assistance by the Davao City Government amounting to a total of P 2.5 million.
Former GF 55 secretary Ariane Jane Ramos alias “Marikit” apologized to the Filipino people and vowed to contribute to the peace-building efforts of the government.
“We ardently hope that the entire Filipino people can accept our most profound apologies. Today, we are standing here in front of you not as former rebels but as Peace Champions. The whole leadership of the Sub-Regional Committee 5 and its members are ready to serve, to secure, and to protect the people from the communist infiltration in the whole area of responsibility,” she said.
1003rd Brigade commander Brigadier General Consolito Yecla had already declared victory over the three decades of insurgency in the city ahead of the given timeline or before the term of President Rodrigo Duterte ends on June 30.
He said it is also a genuine victory for former rebels who are now happily reunited with their families.
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