SAN LUIS, Agusan del Sur – Six former rebels (FRs) of San Luis, Agusan del Sur received cash assistance amounting to P25,000.00 from the Local Government Unit (LGU) of San Luis on August 23, 2021. 

Municipal Mayor Phoebe Corvera released the cash assistance as part of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) benefits, which is a government program that aims to help the rebel members of the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army – National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) and Militia ng Bayan to restore their allegiance to the Philippine government.

Alias ‘Trexie’ is a regular member of the NPA and a platoon medic for one year; alias ‘Simply’, ‘Shark’ and ‘Jemuel’ are also active members of the NPA for two years. They all belong to the dismantled Guerilla Front (GF) 88; while alias ‘Lance’ and alias ‘Criss’, both members of Compaq, all of North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC), who had finally realized their futile struggle and made up their minds to surrender last October 23, 2020, all are hoping to have a renewed life together with their families.

Alias ‘Trexie’ expressed her gratitude to the government for the humane treatment they received which they didn't actually expect. “Wala namo damha nga bisan sa among pagka rebelde tabangan kami sa gobyerno. Gikapoy na mi sa bukid, walay pulos ang among mga pakigbisog. Gilimbongan lang kami sa among komander. Nag surrender mi tungod kay ang saad sa NPA nga maayong kinabuhi nahulog ra sa pag-antos ug kahadlok. Nagpasalamat kami sa gobyerno sa pagdawat pag-usab ug pagtabang kanamo (We were not expecting that despite being an NPA members, the government would still accept us and provide us the necessary assistance. We got tired fighting for a senseless cause. Our commander betrayed and exploited us. We finally decided to surrender because we have been suffering for years),”  she said.

Through this government program, the local government agencies are working hand in hand in serving various initiatives to help sustain the needs of the former rebels for them to be reintegrated back to the community, be with their families, and start over with their new lives, especially in this pandemic crisis.

Lt.Col. Reynald Romel A. Goce, Commanding Officer of 26th Infantry (Ever Onward) Battalion, encouraged all other rebels in the province of AgSur to surrender. "I am greatly encouraging those who are still in the ranks of CPP-NPA movement to peacefully lay down their arms and stop this useless armed struggle, return to the mainstream society and contribute as good citizens for the prosperity of the community as well as the whole province of Agusan del Sur," he said.

“We sympathized with those NPA members who have realized the deception in their organization, that is why our door is open to those who are willing to go back to the fold of the law. We are offering them a way out. But if they continue to resist, then, they will cause their own senseless miseries. Surrender now, your family is waiting for you," added Goce. (2Lt Jerica Alyanna Franz Dacanay, CMO officer, 26IB, PA/ PIA-Agusan del Sur)