Army battalion in Matanao, Davao del Sur gets new buildings for peace dialogues

A new administration building and a covered court were inaugurated on Saturday, October 24, at the headquarters of the Army's 39th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Asbang, Matanao, Davao del Sur, Philstar reported.

Citing radio reports, the outlet said the ceremony was led by Major Gen. Alvin Luzon, commander of the Army's 10th Infantry Division, and Davao del Sur Rep. John Tracy Cagas, whose office funded the facilities. Also present were Brigadier General Apollo Jun Lamaton, commander of the 1002nd Infantry Brigade, and Lt. Col. Hector Estolas, the battalion's commanding officer.

According to Luzon, soldiers will use the facilities as "springboards" for multisectoral peacebuilding programs in Matanao, a municipality recently declared free of the New People's Army. The covered court is also expected to host dialogues and activities that promote religious and cultural solidarity among the town's diverse communities.

Philstar said NPA guerrillas once operated in Matanao's barangays and periodically took food and money from villagers at gunpoint. Upland towns in Davao del Sur where the NPA previously operated were declared liberated from the group last year by local executives together with Army and police officials.

In his message, Cagas expressed appreciation for the work of soldiers and police in keeping the peace in the province. "We in the 10th ID are grateful to Congressman Cagas for these projects," Luzon said. Philstar noted that the lawmaker has backed the division's peacebuilding activities across Davao del Sur, whose capital is Digos City.