Civilian status restored for 50 ex-NPAs in Bukidnon

MALAYBALAY CITY--A total of 50 former members of New People’s Army (NPA) who surrendered to the government earlier this year had their civilian status restored during a ceremony here on Wednesday (December 19).

A press release by the Army's 403rd Infantry Brigade (IB) said the restoration of civilian status meant that the former NPA rebels have already regained protection as provided under the International Humanitarian Law (IHL).

The IHL, adopted during the Fourth Geneva Convention in 1949, provides protection for civilians in armed conflict situations.

The 403IB said the restoration of civilian status comes with the assistance from the government through the "Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP)."

Governor Jose Maria R. Zubiri Jr., chairman of the E-CLIP committee in Bukidnon, handed-over "start-up" cash assistance to the former rebels, which include immediate assistance worth PHP15,000, livelihood assistance of PHP65,000, as well as firearms remuneration.

The 50 surrenderers consisted of NPA regulars and "Militia ng Bayan" members, the military said, adding most of them belong to the Indigenous People (IP).

Earlier this year, some 100 former rebels also received the same E-CLIP benefits, while 223 more surrenderers are waiting in line.

The military said the surrender of the former rebels were usually facilitated by relatives, friends, and barangay officials who accompany them to the authorities.

In his speech during the ceremony, Maj. Gen. Ronald Villanueva, acting commander of Eastern Mindanao Command, assured the former rebels that their rights will be fully protected under the IHL.

Villanueva noted that even the NPA cannot target former NPA rebels under the IHL statute.

"As long as you do not participate directly in the armed conflict, whoever harms you will face public condemnation," the military official said. (PNA)