Former rebels, who are members of nine existing associations of former rebels across the province, have successfully elected their new officers, forming the Davao Oriental Federation of Former Rebels.
The election of the officers was held earlier today, February 11, at the Provincial Capitol Conference Hall during the first provincial assembly of former rebels’ associations.
Former rebel Dominador Estrera, also known as “Domeng,” was elected president.
The election of officers was led by the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC) Vice-Chairman Ednar G. Dayanghirang, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Provincial Director Orle Cabaobao, and the peace and development partners from the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), Philippine National Police, and the Philippine Army.
Mr. Ednar Dayanghirang said that “this will further strengthen the engagement of our FRs with the government. So instead of being scattered, they will become an active part of the province’s aims and goals to build lasting peace and development in our province.”
According to Dayanghirang, the provincial federation came about with President Rodrigo Duterte’s Executive Order 70 that calls for the whole-of-nation approach in ending the communist armed conflict that includes now the participation of other government instrumentalities in responding to the former rebels’ plights.
Newly elected federation president “Domeng” shared the group’s desires to establish cooperatives, raise poultry and livestock, get into trading copra, put up groceries for the different associations, among others.
He added that being a Federation President is a big challenge and, at the same time, an excellent opportunity to help the organization be united, grow, and economically develop to be an eye-opener in guiding the remnants of insurgency ideologies.
The provincial federation officials also took their oath during the same occasion by the DILG Provincial Director Orle Cabaobao.
The Elected FR Federated Officers are tasked to organize the different chapters and coordinate with the government agencies and other public sectors to strengthen their goals and aspirations to help the province attain sustainable peace and extend a vital part for progressive economic development. By Shaye Dacles and Mark Alvite | Photos by Eden Jhan Licayan and Mark Alvite
