BANGUED, Abra (PIA) --The whole-of-nation approach in endling local communist armed conflict continues to gain ground as six more rebels from the province recently returned to the folds of the law and received government assistance.

The six former rebels, five of them from Tubo and one from Luba, voluntarily surrendered before the authorities and were validated by the 71st Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army (PA) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

These FRs were officially presented and provided government assistance during the joint meeting of the Provincial Peace and Order Council and Provincial Task force to End Local Communist Arm Conflict at the provincial capitol.

Under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP), each received    P15,000 as immediate cash assistance, and remuneration for every firearm they turned over during their surrender depending on the classification, model and condition.

 The ECLIP Committee headed by Gov. Dominic Valera, Vice Governor Joy Bernos, Department of the Interior and Local Government Abra Provincial Director Daisy Payang, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Myrna Bersalona, the PA and PNP with Tubo Mayor Liberty La-os   awarded the assistance to the FRs.

The Governor lauded that FRs for voluntarily surrendering to authorities as he appealed to them not to return back to their old ways.

“Marami pang assistance ang makukuha niyo sa ating gobyerno at sana ‘di na kayo manumbalik sa kabila kundi ipagpatuloy ninyo ang inyong nasimulan sa pamamagitan ng pagbabagong-buhay,” he stressed.

Aside from the financial aid, the FRs will undergo series of free skills and livelihood training offered by various government agencies to capacitate them for future employment or entrepreneurial opportunities. (JDP/CAGT–PIA CAR, Abra)