DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, July 15 (PIA) -- Eight former rebels (FRs) have received government livelihood assistance in Guihulngan City.

Under the Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa program, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) turned over livelihood kits composed of 10 goats for five ex-rebels, two sari-sari store kits, and a cellphone with freeloader.

According to 2Lt. Mary Liza De Guzman, civil military operations officer of 62nd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, of the eight peace advocate recipients or FRs, three were former New People's Army (NPA) fighter combatants and five members of Militia ng Bayan who decided to surrender due to the extreme hardship and neglect from their leaders in the organization.

The surrenderers also felt pressure from the focused military operations of the Philippine Army and police.

Upon learning that they can receive livelihood sustainment programs provided by the National and Local Task Force on End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC), they were convinced to give up their previous difficult lives.

It can be recalled that the first batch of 24 FRs also received livelihood assistance last month.

Meanwhile, two families of CAFGU Active Auxiliaries (CAAs) who were slain by the NPA in Guihulngan City received livelihood assistance from DTI.

De Guzman identified the two dependents as Mary Ann Yucaran, wife of late CAA Rodolfo Yucaran, and Yolanda Gabia, wife of late CAA Joseph Gabia.

The families received two sacks of rice and three sacks of feeds through DTI’s Livelihood Seeding Program-Negosyo Serbisyo sa Barangay.  

The program aims to provide a means of livelihood for them to have an additional income for their families.

De Guzman encouraged the remaining NPAs to surrender and avail of the government programs intended for them. (JCT/PIA7 Negros Oriental)