FIVE former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels from the province of Misamis Oriental received P5,000 each as financial assistance from the government’s reintegration program on Monday, military officials said Tuesday.
Army's 4th Infantry Division public affairs chief Major Rodulfo Cordero said the recipients comprised the latest batch of former rebels (FRs) who qualified for the financial grants under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
Cordero said the assistance was handed over by Presidential Communications Operations Secretary Jose Ruperto ‘Martin’ Andanar during a simple awarding ceremony at Pearlmont Hotel in Cagayan de Oro City on Monday.
Andanar was also the Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security (CORDS) Region 10.
Army's 58th Infantry Battalion commander Lt. Col. Ricky Canatoy said the former rebels are representatives of the 14 former rebels who returned to the folds of the government through his unit.
“We still have 9 others staying in our headquarters who will also receive their respective assistance in a separate awarding ceremony,” Canatoy said.
Aside from the initial cash assistance, the FRs will also receive other benefits under E-CLIP, such as skills training, housing and medical assistance, loan and market access, legal assistance and educational assistance, among others.
In his message, Sec. Andanar commends the 4th Infantry Division (4ID) for facilitating the surrender of the former CPP-NPAs.
“I congratulate 4ID under Major General Centino for keeping the peace and security in Northern Mindanao”, Andanar said.
Meanwhile, Army's 4th Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Andres C Centino, welcomes the FRs for returning to the folds of the law.
“With the continuous intervention of our partner agencies, which provides the needed services in conflict-affected and vulnerable areas, we are confident that more NPA rebels will be returning to the government especially this coming Christmas season," said Centino.
"While we continue our security operations against the Communist rebels we also provide an avenue of peaceful return through our Balik-loob Program," said Centino who is also the commander of 4th Infantry Division and Joint Task Force Diamond
“President Duterte wants to end this insurgency problem before his term ends. I am therefore urging the remaining NPA rebels to surrender and avail the integration and livelihood programs that the government has in store for them,” Centino added.
The awarding ceremony was witnessed by the Regional Directors of government line agencies, Attorney Jocelyn Lood-Mateo representing Misamis Oriental governor Yevgeny Vincente Emano and other members of the RTF-ELCAC 10. (Ben Balce)
