By Francis Wakefield Another step forward towards the attainment of lasting peace in Davao City was achieved Thursday with the clearing of 21 insurgency-affected barangays in the districts of Toril, Calinan, Baguio, Marilog, and Tugbok. Brig. Gen. Ernesto C Torres Jr., the commander of the Army's 1003rd Infantry Brigade, said the Area Clearing Validation Board (ACVB) composed of officers from 1003rd Infantry Brigade, 10th Infantry Division, Davao City Police Office and Barangay Captains from the concerned 21 barangays convened to validate the recommendation of the Evaluation Board for the clearing of said barangays. Torres said declared as cleared, peaceful and conflict-resilient communities are nine brgys from Toril, namely: Alambre, Bangkas Heights, Bato, Bayabas, Eden, Marapangi, Mulig, Sirawan and Tagurano; two barangays in Calinan: Riverside and Sirib; three barangays in Baguio: Carmen, Tawan-tawan and Baguio proper; three barangays in Marilog: Bantol, Buda and Marilog proper; and four barangays in Tugbok: Angalan, Manambulan, New Carmen and Tagakpan. He said the ACVB unanimously declared and signed through a resolution that the 21 barangays mentioned have met all the parameters for the clearing of insurgency-affected barangays to include the dismantling of the CPP-NPA politico-military structure; the denial of the CPP-NPA access to the area, resources, and manpower, including mass base support; and the establishment of a functioning barangay information net and integrated community public safety system. "The successful clearing was finally reached as a result of the eight-month long Community Support Team deployment of the military, in close collaboration with the police, brgy officials and the Davao City government in addressing the issues that gave rise to insurgency," he said. "With the clearing of the barangays, it is expected that the Barangay Council becomes active in catering to the needs of the barangay; the residents support and participate in government programs and activities; and there is an active networking and linkaging among the LGUs, LGAs, NGOs and POs for the efficient delivery of basic goods and services for the local populace," he added. Torres said the 1003rd Raptor Brigade shall remain an active partner of the Davao City government in the implementation of peace and development programs to sustain our gains in attaining lasting peace for the city.