103 ex-NPAs in Bukidnon get P4.6-M aid

MALAYBALAY CITY -- The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) office has released a total of PHP4,615,700 in cash aid to 103 former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Bukidnon this year.

This was disclosed by Glenda Hope A. Beley, local government operations officer of DILG-Bukidnon during a press conference on Wednesday, coinciding with the awarding of the Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) benefits to 50 former rebels in the province.

Beley said the third batch of NPA surrenderers consisted of NPA regulars and Milisya ng Bayan members, the rebel group's frontline militiamen.

The latest surrenderers received a total of PHP2 million as immediate assistance, livelihood aid, and firearms remuneration, Beley said.

Bukidnon Governor Jose Ma. R. Zubiri Jr., chairman of E-CLIP in the province, led the distribution of financial assistance during a ceremony at the capitol compound.

Zubiri also requested the DILG to expedite the processing of pending benefits for other former rebels.  

Col. Edgardo de Leon, the Army's 403rd Infantry Brigade commander, said the third batch of surrenderers came from 11 municipalities in the province.

Based on the Army's record, a total of 263 NPA rebels have already surrendered in Bukidnon since 2016.

He said most of the former rebels are members of Indigenous Peoples (IP).

Department of National Defense (DND) Undersecretary Reynaldo Mapayo, who was present during the ceremony, called on the remaining rebels to surrender and take advantage of the government's livelihood programs.

One of the female surrenderers, known as "Ka Monica," said she was recruited by a leftist youth group when she was 14 years old.

An out-of-school youth, Monica said she taught herself to read and write while in the underground movement.

Now in her 40s, Monica said she opted to live a normal life for the welfare of her four children. (PNA)