BACK TO THE GOV'T FOLD. Officials of the Army's 8th Infantry Battalion receive a firearm from one of the 18 former rebels during a turnover ceremony at the Camp Cpt. Ramon M. Onahon, Provincial Headquarters, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon on TUesday (June 1, 2021). The rebels will receive cash incentives as part of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration. (Photo courtesy of 8IB)
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Aside from livelihood assistance, former rebels in Bukidnon province who surrendered to the government on June 1 will receive cash incentives for turning over their firearms.
1st Lt. Abigail Lorenzo, acting Civil Military Operations officer of the Army's 8th Infantry Battalion (8IB), said Wednesday the incentive is part of the firearms remuneration and other cash assistance under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP).
"The cash assistance will depend on the type of firearms and if it is still 'serviceable.' The firearms (remuneration) will range from PHP10,000 to PHP100,000 and PHP200,000 if it's high-powered," she said.
Some 18 former New People’s Army fighters surrendered at 8IB's Camp Cpt. Ramon M. Onahon, Provincial Headquarters, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. They turned over 15 high-powered and eight low-powered firearms to the Bukidnon Police Provincial Office.
One of the surrenderers, Armando Daluniag, former NPA commander belonging to the HQ Force Neo, North Central Mindanao Regional Committee, expressed his hopes for a peaceful life.
"I pledge to the government that I will help in defeating our insurgency problem. I will give my all so that we will finally attain long-lasting peace," he said in the vernacular.
Lt. Col. Edgardo Talaroc Jr., commander of the 8IB, said the Army is helping the government by giving assistance to the former rebels through ECLIP.
"I am hoping that more members of the CTG (communist terrorist groups) will return to the fold of the law. There's no better time to choose peace but now," he said.
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)
