A TOTAL of 38 former New People’s Army rebels on Thursday last week received checks worth P1.7 million from the head of the provincial task force “Balik Loob,” which oversees the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) in Bukidnon.
The Eclip funds that came from the interior and local government department were distributed by Bukidnon governor Jose Ma Zubiri Jr, the concurrent provincial chairman of E-clip committee and other members.
“This is the government’s sincerity and commitment to deliver their E-CLIP benefits,” said the Army's 4th infantry Division public affairs chief Major Rodulfo Cordero, adding that even in the advent of this deadly Covid-19 pandemic.
Cordero said that the entire command assured the former rebels that their reintegration to mainstream society will be monitored by the government, particularly their safety as well as those of their families.
8IB civil military operations officer 2nd Lieutenant Camille Bumatay said the Eclip benefits were received by the former rebels in a simple ceremony held at Kaamulan Folk Theater, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon on August 13, 3020.
Of the 38 former rebels, according to Bumatay 10 were voluntarily surrendered to the army’s 8th 8IB.
“They get P65,000 each from their immediate assistance worth P15,000.00 and P50,000 livelihood assistance,” said Bumatay.
Of the 10 former rebels, 7 were regular members of the New People’s Army (NPA) and three (3) were members of the Militia ng Bayan, she said.
“Sobra akong kalipay ug pasalamat sa gobyerno sa ilang kinasingkasing nga pagdawat ug paghatag og daghang suporta,” shared by one of the former rebels.
The former rebel even said that before he was with the struggling armed group believing in a wrong leadership and ideology, now, he was a certified member of civilian’s armed forces, serving the community under the only one government, the Philippine government.
Meanwhile, Gov. Zubiri expressed that he was glad the former rebels already received the cash assistance that they will be used to start a new life.
“Your provincial government will continue to provide interventions that you need to support your families,” said Zubiri.
8IB commander Lt. Colonel Edgardo Talaroc, Jr, also urged all the remaining communist rebels to surrender, as they lay down their arms and live peacefully with their families.
“The government has an E-CLIP that provides a complete package to the rebels and their families who decide to abandon the armed struggle and return to the folds of the law,” ssid Talaroc.
On July 20, 2020, a total of 67 former rebels in Bukidnon received a total of P2.5 M worth of financial aid, where 22 were former rebels who surrendered to the 8IB. (Ben Balce)
