AID. Four former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army receive financial assistance through the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program at the Governor’s Conference Hall, Capitol Building in Barangay Suklayin, Baler, Aurora on Wednesday (Dec. 21, 2022). The ex-rebels received immediate livelihood assistance and firearms remuneration of around PHP495,000. (Photo by Jason de Asis)
BALER, Aurora – Four former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in this province on Wednesday received financial assistance through the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
Lt. Col. Julito Recto Jr., commander of the Philippine Army’s 91st Infantry “Sinagtala” Battalion (91IB), said the former rebels received livelihood assistance and firearms remuneration of around PHP495,000.
“The financial assistance is very timely as Christmas is coming where they now have money for their families as initial aid coming from the government for them to start a peaceful life. Let us forget the past and start with a new life with peace while coming back to our mainstream society,” Recto said during the event at the Governor’s Conference Hall, Capitol Building in Barangay Suklayin here.
He encouraged the former rebels to continuously embrace the new life that awaits them in mainstream society.
“Ituloy natin ang mapayapang pamumuhay. Marami pang ayuda ang darating sa inyo sa pagtutulungan ng ating Provincial ELCAC. Narito kami para gabayan kayo sa inyong pagbabagong buhay (Let us continue the peaceful life. More assistance will be given to you in cooperation with our provincial ELCAC. We are here to guide in you in your renewed life),” Recto said.
DILG Provincial Director Ener Cambronero, meanwhile, said “justice for all is an important aspect in the lives of the people more so to the surrenderers who were also victims of the terrorist organization.”
One of the former rebels, only be identified as "Ka Arman", thanked the government for the support that could help him start a new life with his family.
“Maraming salamat po sa inyo at hindi ninyo kami pinabayaan. Yan pong ibinigay ninyong tulong sa amin ay panimula sa aming mga pangarap na tuloy-tuloy na pagbabagong buhay. Amin pong pinapahalagahan ang mga tulong na nagmumula sa ating gobyerno (Thank you very much for not abandoning us. The financial assistance that you gave us is the start of our dream to continuously change our lives. We value the assistance coming from our government),” he said.
Provincial agriculturist Arnold Novicio, who represented Governor Christian Noveras, said the Marcos administration is committed to addressing the insurgency and helping former rebels be reintegrated into society.
“Your government is here to provide financial assistance, livelihood, education, medical and other social services to help former rebels like you,” Novicio said. (PNA)
