BANGUED, Abra  (PIA) -- The anti-insurgency campaign of the government continues advance in the province as four     rebels   recently returned to mainstream society and received government assistance.

 The four former rebels (FRs)  received government assistance under the Enhanced  Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ELCIP)  during the 2nd quarter joint meeting of the Provincial Peace and Order Council and Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict at the provincial Capitol recently.

The ECLIP Committee led by Governor Dominic Valera  personally handed cash assistance to the FRs  from Brgy. Taripan, Malibcong; Brgy. Buneg Lacub; Brgy. Buanao, Malibcong, and Brgy. Lingtan, Bangued.

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.

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

“Gamitin niyo ng maayos ang mga assistance na ito para magkaroon kayo ng mapayapang pamumuhay. We hope na hindi na kayo babalik sa mga nanggalingan ninyo,” he said.

Under the ECLIP, the FRs will also receive a 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)