IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay - Twenty-nine former rebels received Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program Benifits in Zamboanga del Norte, Tuesday noon, February 22, 2022.
The release of Php65,000.00 to each former rebel was conducted during the 1st Quarter Zamboanga Del Norte Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict meeting held at Top Plaza Hotel, Dipolog City.
The benefits is composed of Php15,000.00 Immediate Cash Assistance and Php50,000.00 Livelihood Assistance that will help our former rebels rebuild their lives in the mainstream society.
"Suwahi sa propaganda sa amo sa una sa sulod sa kalihukan na kung mu-surrender mi kay patyon mi sa kasundaluhan, ang among gi-ilang kaaway sauna kay mao pa diay ang mutabang kanamo makabalik sa among pamilya (Contrary to the propaganda teachings to us inside the armed struggle that soldiers will kill us if we surrender, it seems that the enemy we have known for so long are our most precious allies that will help us return to our families)," said alias Peewee, a former leader of the HQ-KALAW, Western Mindanao Regional Party Commitee.
Some of the former rebels will also be receiving firearm remuneration based on the valuation of the firearms they have surrendered upon the completion of the processing of their documents.
"Gina-awhag pud naku akong mga kaugalingon FRs na atong tabangan atong mga paryente ug kaila na nagpabilin pa sa pakigbisog na mubalik na sa sabakan sa balaod para matagampam na pud nila ang kahapsay ug kalinaw na panginabuhi kauban sa ilang mga pamilya (I am urging my fellow FRs to help our relatives and friends who still remain in the armed struggle to lay down their arms and return to the folds of law so that they too can experience a simple and peaceful living together with their families)," Peewee added.
Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Leonel Nicolas stressed that the peaceful surrender of the remaining members of the WMRPC will finally put an end to the decades-long insurgency problem in Zamboanga Peninsula.
"The doors of the 102nd Infantry Brigade together with our partner stakeholders are always open for those who wish to give peace a chance and end this futile armed struggle that have cost the lives of many Filipino soldiers, innocent civilians and vulnerable sectors," Brig. Gen. Nicolas said.
As of posting, the government is currently pursuing the 52 remaining members of the WMRPC mostly monitored in Zamboanga del Norte and Misamis Occidental. (RVC/EDT/PIA Zamboanga del Norte)
