LITERACY TRAINING FOR EX-REBELS. The Army’s 23rd Infantry Battalion and the Department of Information and Communications Technology 13 (Caraga) conduct a one-day digital literacy training for 40 former New People's Army rebels in Butuan City on Thursday (Aug. 25, 2022). The training aims to enhance the abilities and develop the personality of the former rebels as they prepare for reintegration into their families and communities. (Photo courtesy of 23IB)
BUTUAN CITY – At least 40 former communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels have undergone a one-day digital literacy training conducted at the provincial gymnasium of Agusan del Norte in Butuan City on Thursday.
The 23rd Infantry Battalion (23IB), in a statement Saturday, said the program was implemented with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) 13 (Caraga).
“This is part of the contribution of the DICT-13 to the whole-of-nation approach to end local communist armed conflict in the province,” the 23IB said.
The activity, it added, was part of the Tech4ED program of the DICT, or the Technology Empowerment for Education, Employment, Entrepreneurship, and Economic Development.
“The program aims to empower communities and help end the local communist armed conflict by providing information and communications technology services to unserved and underserved communities,” the 23IB said.
For the 40 former rebels, the program is among the numerous benefits they received through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program of the government.
“The training also aims to build the capacity, enhancement of abilities, and personality development for the former rebels as they prepare for reintegration to their families and communities,” it said.
The 23IB thanked the DICT-13 and the other government agencies for their continued support for the former rebels.
The activity was also graced by Agusan del Norte Governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell Amante, who expressed appreciation for the willingness of the former rebels to undergo the training.
“Our administration is committed to assisting you in realizing your full potential as productive members of the community in which you live,” Amante 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.
The National Democratic Front was formally designated as a terrorist organization by the Anti-Terrorism Council on June 23, 2021, citing it as “an integral and inseparable part” of the CPP-NPA created in April 1973. (PNA)
