By ROGER M. BALANZA
Paquibato, Davao City’s mountainous district that for decades the hotbed of communist insurgency in the Davao Region, is now being eyed as an ecotourism destination after the district was declared rebel-free.
Paquibato, for years, was the home base of the elusive, legendary rebel leader Leoncio “Ka Parago” Pitao of the Pulang Bagani Command of the New Peoples Army (NPA), the armed of the communist movement in the Philippines.
The death of Parago in a raid by military in his rebel camp was setback that drastically reduced rebel presence and influence in the hinterland district.
PEACE 911, as anti-insurgency campaign in Paquibato by then Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, now Vice President, was followed last year by declaration by military of Paquibato as rebel-free .
Paquibato District has the potential for ecotourism, Davao City .Councilor Tek Ocampo, chair of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources.
Ocampo and Councilor Al Ryan Alejandre, chair of the Committee on Tourism and Beautification, recomended Paquibato as a tourism site to Mayor Baste Duterte, who order the councilors to identify potential destinations.
“Upon the instruction of the city mayor nagatuyok ta sa matag area sa Davao City specially sa far flung areas nangita mi ug ecotourism sites and nagstart mi sa Paquibato District. Ang target nato Davao City will not only be known for Eden Nature Park, Malagos or Philippine Eagle, but it will also be known for our natural resources nga nindot kaayo,” Ocampo said in a recent interview with City Hall-owned Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR).
THE DURIAN POST 