ZAMBOANGA CITY--The Army’s 103rd Infantry Brigade and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) distributed livelihood starter kits to 64 former rebels, officials said Friday.
Maj. Arvin John Encinas, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) spokesperson, said the beneficiaries are former members of the “local terrorist group” based in Lanao del Sur and Misamis Oriental.
Encinas did not elaborate as to which group the former rebels used to belong.
Encinas said the livelihood package was distributed in a ceremony Tuesday at the headquarters of the Army’s 103rd Infantry Brigade in Marawi City.
The former rebels received farming livelihood grants, six cellular phone accessories business starter kits, 35 sacks of vulcanizing equipment, and 36 sari-sari store business starter kits.
“We are fulfilling our commitment to the FRs (former rebels) for them to fully reintegrate to the mainstream society,” said Criste Perpekto, Supervising Labor and Employment Officer of DOLE Region 10.
Alinor Montic, one of the former rebels, was quoted as saying: “Masaya kami at sa pag-uwi namin ay mayroon na kaming panimula sa bagong buhay (We are happy because we have something to start with to live a new life when we go home).”
Brig. Gen. Romeo Brawner, Army’s 103rd Infantry Brigade commander, said he hopes to see the small businesses of the former rebels prosper.
“Mas masarap mabuhay nang normal at maging partner sa kapayapaan at pag-unlad sa komunidad kung saan kayo nakatira (It is great to live a normal life and be a partner of peace and development in the community that you live),” Brawner added.
The joint activity of Marawi City government and the military is part of the government's peace-building effort to prevent and counter violent extremism.
Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Westmincom chief, said he was "grateful to the overwhelming support of other government agencies in our quest for peace in Western and Central Mindanao."
“We call on the rest of our brothers and sisters who are still contemplating to come out and take advantage of the livelihood programs implemented by the government,” Sobejana added. (PNA)
