Dangcagan, Bukidnon — In a significant stride towards peace and development, the Municipality of Dangcagan has been officially declared an insurgency-free municipality through Municipal Peace and Order Council (MPOC) Resolution No. 289-2024. The declaration ceremony took place on November 20, 2024, at the Dangcagan Municipal Covered Court, attended by key local and national officials, security forces, and community representatives.
Courtesy of Bukidnon Police Provincial Office.
PBGEN Jaysen C. De Guzman, Regional Director of Police Regional Office 10, led the event alongside PCOL Jovit Lontac Culaway, Provincial Director of the Bukidnon Police Provincial Office; PLTCOL Alfredo G. Ortiz Jr., 2nd Bukidnon Provincial Mobile Force Company Force Commander; and PMAJ Jose Regner Sevilleno, Chief of Police of Damulog Municipal Police Station.
The occasion was graced by prominent officials including Hon. Rogelio Neil P. Roque, Provincial Governor of Bukidnon; Hon. Mark Vincent B. Dandasan, Municipal Mayor of Dangcagan; Hon. Fruto B. Dandasan Jr., Municipal Vice-Mayor; and Ms. Rhona Pedraza Abadilla, Provincial Director of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Bukidnon. Representatives of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) were also in attendance, notably LTC Gilbert F. Gomez, Commanding Officer of the 48th Infantry Battalion, 7th Infantry Division, PA; and BGEN Marion T. Angcao, Commander of the 1003rd Brigade, 101st Infantry Division, PA.
Community leaders, including Ms. Irene Manuela B. Belderol, Municipal Local Government Operations Officer (MLGOO); Hon. Emelina T. Dechos, Indigenous Peoples’ Mandatory Representative (IPMR); Hon. Julius Irvin Igtos, SK Federation President; and Hon. Rico T. Doydoy, Liga ng mga Barangay President, joined the historic event.
The declaration is a testament to the collaborative efforts of government agencies, local government units, the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Indigenous Cultural Communities, and other stakeholders. Through a unified and inclusive approach, these entities have worked tirelessly to address the root causes of insurgency, fostering peace and stability in Dangcagan.
Governor Rogelio Neil P. Roque lauded the collective efforts, emphasizing the importance of sustaining the peace through continuous development programs and active community participation. “This milestone is a victory for everyone in Bukidnon,” he said, “as it brings us closer to achieving lasting peace and progress.”
PBGEN Jaysen C. De Guzman highlighted the significance of the declaration as a model for other municipalities striving for peace and security. “The cooperation between the community, local government, and security forces has proven that insurgency can be addressed through unity and determination,” he stated.
The Municipality of Dangcagan now serves as a symbol of hope for other areas still grappling with insurgency, showcasing that peace is achievable when all sectors of society work hand in hand. This declaration not only marks a safer Dangcagan but also contributes to the broader goal of a more peaceful and prosperous Bukidnon.
