SULTAN NAGA DIMAPORO, Lanao del Norte (PIA)--Following the formal surfacing of two former Communist Party of the Philippines - New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) fighters Thursday, August 19, in this municipality, the government guaranteed that it will pour out its support in accordance to its implemented whole-of-nation approach program.

The returnees namely alias Harold and alias Dotdot were neutralized through the Municipal Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (MTF-ELCAC) and with the concerted efforts of 51st Mechanized Company and 5th Mechanized Infantry “Kaagapay” Battalion and are set to receive their benefits.

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) - Lanao del Norte Provincial Director Bruce Colao said under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), immediate financial assistance worth P50,000 will be processed, alongside their livelihood after the proposal for such is approved.

Further, their surrendered firearms will be turned over to the Philippine National Police (PNP) for proper valuation after which the DILG will then process the cash assistance serving as the firearms remuneration.  

The municipal local government also assured its own share of contribution to the improvement of the lives of the returnees.

Vice Mayor Ulwan Dimaporo said they will strive to provide livelihood through a thorough discussion and proposal with Mayor Motalib Dimaporo. 

“I will try my very best to talk with our mayor para dili lang nang sa DSWD na bugas [ang madawat]. Surely, mu-okay ang atong halangdong mayor,” he said.

[I will try my very best to talk with our mayor so that it will not just be the rice from the DSWD [that they will receive]. Surely, our dear mayor will be okay with it.]

Provincial Board Member Achmad Taha also conveyed that the returnees can also lean on the provincial government as the local chief executive of the province actively participate in the resolution of issues and concerns. 

“We are very thankful for these two rebels. Makakaasa po kayo sa amin, lalo na dito sa SND at sa Lanao del Norte kay ang atong gobernadora kanunay gapaluyo sa pagsulbad sa mga problema nga mamahimong malinawon ug mauswagon ang matag-usa kanato nga lumulupyo sa probinsya sa Lanao del Norte,” he said.

[We are very thankful for these two rebels. You can trust in us, especially here in SND and in Lanao del Norte because our governor always backs the resolution of the problems so that each of the citizens in the province of Lanao del Norte will be peaceful and progressive.] (CRG/PIA-ICIC)