ROXAS CITY, CAPIZ (PIA) -- Five Former Rebels (FRs) in this province received the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) assistance from the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) through the Capiz E-CLIP Committee. 

The beneficiaries were FRs who surrendered to the Philippine Army (PA) including a regular member of the Communist Party of the Philippines- New People's Army (CPP-NPA) and three Milisya ng Bayan (MB), who have all withdrawn support from the communist group. One of the former members of CPP- NPA, on the other hand, surrendered to Capiz Police Provincial Office (CPPO).

The E-CLIP assistance encourages reconciliation in a non-violent manner of FRs and Former Violent Extremists (FVEs) which provides a Department of the Interior and Local Government-administered financial package of assistance, such as immediate assistance, livelihood assistance, reintegration assistance, and firearms remuneration.

Through E-CLIP, CPP-NPA regular members received P65,000.00 each, covering P15,000.00 immediate assistance and P50,000.00 livelihood assistance, while the MBs received P15,000.00 as immediate assistance. 

Alias Jan-Jan, one of the FRs, expressed his gratitude to all who helped him avail the government's benefit package and livelihood start up as he integrates back to live a new and productive life in the society. 

"The CTGs and its supporters should not be afraid to surrender because only the government can give them a true and genuine service," said CPPO director Col. Jerome D. Afuyog, Jr. 

For his part, Phil. Army's 3rd Infantry Division commander Major Gen. Marion R. Sison calls on the remaining terrorists to give peace a chance and give up the senseless armed struggles. 

Sison added that the government program will wait for the CTGs return to mainstream society. 

"But I will reiterate that for those who insist on being a terrorist, you will cease to exist sooner than later. You cannot hide in the long arms of the law. The army will keep hunting you and make you irrelevant," he stressed. (AGP/PLF/PIA Capiz)