TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Aug. 5 (PIA) -- Advancing the national goals of ending local communist armed conflict (ELCAC), Bohol has set up a system that allows an enhancement of the package of assistance for rebels who wish to return to the folds of the law. 

Through Executive Order No. 27, Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado institutionalized a local program supporting the reintegration of former rebels into the Kauban sa Reporma (KR) Program, especially for those who wish to formally surrender and finally live in peace.

The government offered the enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (e-CLIP) to rebel surrenderees who abandoned the armed violence and rejoined the mainstream of society through a package of financial, psychological, educational, legal, and livelihood assistance to fast-track the attainment of ELCAC goals.

A joint Memorandum Circular issued by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of National Defense (DND) in 2021 provided the guidelines for the availment of the e-CLIP benefits for surrendering former rebels who were active in the underground movement as violent extremists from 2018 to present.

This leaves former rebels who laid low before 2018 who cannot avail of the package of benefits as they are technically inactive and are vulnerable to recruitment and threats from active members.

With a cut-off date set for KRs to avail of the e-CLIP benefits, the Aumentado Executive Order institutionalizes the local KR Program and intends to embrace the former rebels who could not avail of the national e-CLIP.

It also provides benefits for them as operationalized under the Office of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development (OPSWD).

According to Aumentado, the KR program beneficiaries include Boholano former rebels who were active as members of the armed group Militia ng Bayan from 2010 to 2018, has a Joint Army Police Intelligence Committee (JAPIC) certification but are not beneficiaries of the package of eCLIP assistance under the Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1, series of 2021 by the DILG and DND. 

The program is funded by the annual appropriations under the OPSWD and the Provincial Cooperative Development and the provincial government’s initial P2M operational starting fund. 

Bohol’s localized e-CLIP also gives P10,000 immediate assistance as the KR is enrolled and processed to the program.

Candidates can also get P30,000 start-up fund for livelihood assistance, P15,000 reintegration assistance for expenses incurred while processing the Joint Army Police Intelligence Committee certification, some halfway house services, security arrangements, and other assistance such as the OPSWDs facilitation in affirming the KRs identity in the society through identification processing, support for relocation as well as other services that may be tapped from participating national and local government agencies for skills and capacity-building and livelihood training.

The Bohol KR program, which is an equivalent to the national government’s assistance, also includes remuneration for surrendered fire arms, explosives, ammunition, vehicles, and equipment. (RAHC/PIA7 Bohol)