ILOILO CITY -- Five former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA), who surrendered together with their firearms to the government, were granted financial aid on Thursday.
The rebel returnees and their firearms were presented by the Philippine Army’s 301st Brigade to Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr.
The governor, along with the Department of the Interior and Local Governor (DILG-Iloilo) provincial director Teodora Sumagaysay, assisted the Army in distributing the checks to the rebel returnees.
Col. Marion Sison, 301st brigade commander, said the surrenderers were given PHP15,000 immediate and PHP60,000 livelihood assistance under the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
On top of these, each of them also received additional aid with a maximum of PHP70, 000 for their yielded firearms.
Surrendered firearms include two .38 caliber, one .45 caliber, one shotgun, and an M1 Garand rifle, Sison said.
“These firearms were acquired by the former rebels while they were recruited in the armed group,” he said, adding that those who surrender were squad members tasked to disseminate information to deceive the masses.
The financial aid received by the rebels was proof that the government is sincere in its fight against insurgency, the Army commander said.
"They can start anew with the aid that they have received from the government,” he added.
Sison said 184 remaining rebels are being monitored by the Army in the province. (PNA)