DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, July 2 (PIA) -- Twelve former rebels in Negros Oriental received financial assistance from the national and provincial governments on June 24.
The province has awarded a total of P664,000 worth of financial, livelihood, and firearm remuneration assistance to the former rebels (FRs).
These rebels have surrendered to the 62nd Infantry Battalion (62nd IB) through Guihulngan City Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC), according to according to Capt. Mervin Rosal, civil military officer of the 303rd Infantry Brigade.
Of the 12, seven FRs each received P15,000 immediate assistance as member of the Militia ng Bayan, while five FRs each received P65,000 immediate and livelihood assistance as regular National People's Army (NPA) members.
Four of them received remuneration cash aid of P234,000.
Gov. Roel Degamo gave the cash assistance to the FR beneficiaries in the presence of Commander of 302nd Infantry Brigade Col. Leonardo Peña, Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office Provincial Director P/Col. Glenn Mayam, 62nd IB Commanding Officer Col. Melvin Flores, together with regional and provincial officials.
The immediate assistance is a component benefit of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) which provides a complete package of assistance to FRs who were members of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), NPA, and National Democratic Front who surrendered to the government as well as their family members.
Aside from the financial aid, the government also provided them with educational opportunities, halfway house, PhilHealth enrolment and medical service, housing, modified conditional cash transfer, and legal, healing, and reconciliation initiatives.
The former rebels expressed their deep appreciation and gratitude for the full support of the local government units and other government agencies involved.
Brigadier Gen. Inocencio Pasaporte PA of the 303rd IB lauded the unwavering support of 62IB and Guihulngan City Task Force ELCAC to former rebels, whom he said were victims of the propaganda lies of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front.
“This is a solid evidence that the local government of Negros Oriental is sincere in its commitment to allow rebels to start anew, be able to live normal lives again, and unite with their families," said Pasaporte.
The brigadier general urged the other NPA members to surrender peacefully and be awakened on the truth that FRs are victims of the lies, deceptions, and manipulations of the terrorist CPP-NPA organization. (JCT/PIA Negros Oriental with reports from 303rd Infantry Brigade, PA)
