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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Luzon devider First-ever home defense village for former rebels to rise in Caraga region

First-ever home defense village for former rebels to rise in Caraga region

Published Jul 1, 2020 09:20 am

CAMP COL. RAFAEL C. RODRIGUEZ, Butuan City - With the ultimate objective of attaining inclusive and sustainable peace in Northeastern Mindanao or Caraga region, the Police Regional Office 13 (PRO 13) is set to construct a Home Defense Village (HDV) in Sitio Amongan, Barangay Noli, Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur, in partnership with all the officials and members of Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC).

Shown in photo are the members of the command group of PRO 13 led by Regional Director Brig. Gen. Joselito T. Esquivel, Jr.(3rd from left) city officials of Bayugan City and other officials from the different line agencies of the government during the ground breaking ceremony of the proposed Home Defense Village for rebel returnees located in Sitio Amongan, Barangay Noli, Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur, on Tuesday, June 30, 2020. (PRO 13-RPIO/Mike U. Crismundo/Manila Bulletin)
Shown in photo are the members of the command group of PRO 13 led by Regional Director Brig. Gen. Joselito T. Esquivel, Jr.(3rd from left) city officials of Bayugan City and other officials from the different line agencies of the government during the ground breaking ceremony of the proposed Home Defense Village for rebel returnees located in Sitio Amongan, Barangay Noli, Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur, on Tuesday, June 30, 2020. (PRO 13-RPIO/Mike U. Crismundo/Manila Bulletin)

The HDV project got off the ground when the command group of PRO 13, led by Regional Director Brig. Gen. Joselito T. Esquivel, Jr., led the ground breaking for the construction of the building on Tuesday, June 30.

Aside from Esquivel, also present during the launch were Bayugan City Mayor Kirk Asis, Department of Health (DOH 13) Regional Director Dr. Jose  Llacuna Jr. National Housing Authority Director Engr. Ellen Walsh, Area Officer of National Intelligence Coordinating Agency Director Virginia Durens, Department of Agriculture (DA 13) Regional Director Director Abel James I. Monteagudo, 402ndInfantry (Stingers) Brigade Representative(S7) Maj. Francisco Garillo, and other officials from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), and city councilors of Bayugan. 

Highlight of the event was the ground breaking ceremony that was witnessed by all involved government agencies and HDV beneficiaries.

The HDV, a community for rebel returnees, was conceptualized by Esquivel and was realized through the support of other government agencies and the city government of Bayugan, which donated nine hectares of land.

"HDV will help the former rebels rebuild their lives and start anew together with their family in a sustainable community where basic social services from the government are delivered,” Esquivel said. 

“This is in addition to the financial assistance they received under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP)," the region’s top cop added. 

In his message, Asis stressed that the former rebels deserved to have a sustainable livelihood, a program that truly lasts and no one can take it from them.

He also ensured that more projects will be pursued for the former rebels residing in the HDV. 

Meanwhile, Esquivel recognized the efforts of all government agencies involved in the realization of the project adding that it is not his program or legacy but a collective effort by all stakeholders to resolve the five-decade insurgency in the region.

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