AID FOR EX-REBELS. Former rebels receive cash assistance from the government in a ceremony in Calbiga, Samar on Wednesday (April 1, 2020). A total of 26 former New People’s Army fighters in Samar province received PHP1.85 million in cash incentives. (Photo courtesy of Philippine Army)
TACLOBAN CITY – A total of 26 former fighters of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Samar province received PHP1.85 million in cash incentives on Wednesday.
The turnover activity, dubbed “Peace towards Prosperity Initiative”, was conducted in separate ceremonies in the towns of Matuguinao, Paranas, and Calbiga.
This is part of the national government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), which provides a financial package to former rebels as they return to the mainstream society and live a normal life, the Philippine Army said in a statement issued on Thursday.
“We are happy whenever (a) rebel surrenders and returns (in)to the fold of the law. The Communist Terrorist Groups (CTG) deceive and agitate members by injecting ideologies against the government. You are just victims of such deception.” said Maj. Gen. Pio Diñoso, commander of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division.
Diñoso said the enforcement of Executive Order 70 or the whole-of-nation approach to end local communist armed conflict amid the health crisis is a reaffirmation of its commitment to provide peaceful, resilient, sustainable, and an economically developed Eastern Visayas.
One of the beneficiaries who requested anonymity said they were grateful to the government for helping them realize that the NPA’s claims of helping the people were all lies.
“The truth to the matter is – the soldiers are the true ones who help us. Let us then help our brothers who were led astray by the NPA to return to the government so that they too may experience prosperity and return to the mainstream society,” he said.
Diñoso said additional financial aid under the E-CLIP program would be granted to the former rebels once they have completed the requirements.
The Communist Party of the Philippines - NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. (PNA)
