Task Force Davao - Great for Business

We see them on the streets of Davao, carrying guns and ammunitions, as if quietly scouting for danger. We see them on checkpoints, securing the entrance and exits of the city. We see them on seaports and airports, with their bomb-sniffing K9 dogs. I am talking about the Task Force Davao 4th Infantry Division of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

I remembered that the Task Force Davao was organized after the bombings that hit Davao International Airport on 04 March 2003 and Sasa Wharf on 02 April 2003. I heard of them when I was part of the government created “Maniwang Commission” that was asked by President Arroyo to investigate the twin bombings of the city. I had the perception then that this task force , as the name implies, will be short-lived.

The unit was officially organized on 16 April 2003 to combat terrorism but on 01 December 2003, it was further tasked to undertake counter-insurgency operations. It operates in three major cities namely, Davao City, Panabo City and Island Garden City Of Samal (IGACOS). In total, TFD covers four municipalities and 283 barangays, in a land Area of 6,240 Sq K with around 1.5 M populations.

Its mission is to conduct internal security operations within its Area of Responsibility in order to establish a physically and psychologically secured environment conducive to peace and development. I particularly support the “psychologically secured” mission- seeing them even at late evenings makes one feel safe and sound while walking the streets of Davao. One night, my husband and I were having coffee in one of those convenience stores located within a gasoline station when I saw one group of TFD. Knowing how hard and tiring their work must be ; we offered to buy them coffee and midnight snacks- but they politely refused this. The more I admired them for that ! A far cry from the other soldiers that I had encountered.

Unknown to many people though, the Task Force Davao has operational activities that defy the war strategies of many army generals here and abroad. They are espousing what is called the Mass Base Operation.

When Colonel Eduardo D. Del Rosario FA (GSC) PA, assumed command of Task Force Davao (TFD) on 16 July 2004, he immediately conceptualized the organization of about 70,000 Muslims in Davao City. His intention was to organize our Muslim brothers so they can play an active role in the campaign against insurgency and terrorism to pave the way for sustainable development.

This endeavor was realized when Lieutenant Colonel Yusop A. Jimlani (INF) PA, a Tuasog Muslim Officer, was assigned to TFD as Deputy Commander on 16 August 2004. He was then tasked to spearhead the project’s implementation by coordinating with respected Muslim political as well as spiritual leaders to rationalize the necessity of leading their fellow Muslims. Likewise, Mayor Rody gave his full support knowing the critical role of the group in his campaign for peace and development.

On 30 September 2004, a symposium on Terrorism and other related topics was held at Grand Men Seng Hotel, Davao City. Various Muslim sector representatives attended the occasion, from the Religious, Women, Youth, Business, Balik Islam, former MNLF leaders, political groups and the Muslim elites in Davao City. The activity culminated with the induction of the elected officers of the newly formed group called the United Muslim Council for Peace and Development (UMCPD).

To support the peace initiatives of the group, TFD has hosted relief goods distribution to Muslim communities in the city, and has helped in the restructuring of the Madrasah School in Ecoland and the Badjao Mosque in the Boulevard area. A medical mission to different Muslim communities was also done, and to even enhance communication and relationships of non-Muslim Soldiers and Muslim public in the region, TFD published the Soldier’s Handbook to Understand Muslims last 2005. The handbook is now a required read for every Filipino soldier, stationed in Mindanao, or not.

I am glad that they have made public information a major thrust of the TFD. Since January 2005, it was able to gather a total of 4,003 audience from schools, hotels / restaurant staff, cooperatives, private businesses, barangays / municipalities and LGUs.
With the TFD, we can all confidently continue on doing business , inviting investments and creating more jobs. Personally , I view the TFD more as allies in peace keeping and partners in business.