DAVAO CITY, March 17 (PIA)- The insurgency-free image of Davao Region is holding characterized by the absence of skirmishes between the rebels and government troops.

 Major Mark Tito, spokesperson of the 10th Infantry Division told the AFP-PNP Press Corps that since the declaration of the region as insurgency-free last year, the region’s peace and order is relatively calm.

He said the 10th ID has shifted to the disaster-response mode since it is also situated in Davao de Oro.

“Due to the magnitude 5.9 earthquake, our troops were immediately deployed to conduct humanitarian assistance in its response operation,” Tito said.

He said during that time, soldiers from the 10th Infantry Division immediately assessed the affected infrastructure.

Tito disclosed one of the significant activities of the troops was to allow the transfer of  patients from the Davao de Oro Provincial Hospital in Montevista to their military hospital in Mawab.

“A total of eleven patients were transferred from the Davao de Oro Provincial Hospital in Montevista to the station hospital of the 10th ID in Mawab,” he said.

Tito said rescue operations continue because after the series of earthquakes, the province was again struck with flood.

He also bared the marching order of Major General Jose Eriel Niembra, as the current commander of the 10th ID is to sustain the gains of the anti-insurgency campaign, through the whole-of-nation approach.

Tito said the Aguila troops are working hard to prevent the resurgence of the communist rebels with the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ new campaign plan which is peace and development support plan: Pagkakaisa which will take effect 2023 to 2028.

He revealed that currently, the 10th ID is full in terms of civil-military operations followed by intelligence gathering and focused military operation.

“Kung atong mapansin, heavy kaayo ta sa civil-military operations to bring stability followed by our intelligence operations and thirdly, our focused military operation.  Our activities include the massive awareness campaign designed to make the people aware of the rebel resurgence, out-reach programs, and the monitoring of the barangay support programs,” Tito said.  (PIA XI-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)