DEPARTMENT of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) yesterday turned over processing centers for rebel returnees, Army's 4th Infantry Division spokesman said Wednesday.
A halfway house will serve as a reintroduction of former rebels to society, said 4ID public affairs chief Major Rodulfo Cordero in a statement.
“In here, the former rebels will to equip through skills training,” said Cordero.
Cordero said that it’s important for their partner LGUs to have that kind of training.
On Tuesday, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) turned over a newly constructed halfway house to the Provincial Government of Surigao del Sur.
Cordero said the halfway house is worth P5 million excluding the lot as a financial assistance to partner LGUs through the Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
The DILG provided P5 million pesos for the construction of the building while the local government unit provided the lot, acccording to Cordero.
Meanwhile, 4ID commander Maj Gen Andres C. Centino underscored the role of the LGU in operationalizing the halfway house.
"We are looking forward for the operationalization of this facility for our rebel returnees," said Centino.
"It will greatly help the deradicalization and rehabilitization of our former rebels prior to their integration to the mainstream society," Centino said.
Centino also said that the halfway house will serve as a processing center for surfacing rebels.
"Former rebels will temporary stay in this facility while their benefits under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) are being processed," Centino said.
Centino also reiterated his call to the remaining CPP-NPA members to return the folds of the law and avail of the government programs under the E-CLIP so they will have a productive life with their families.
DILG Surigao del Sur provincial director Pedrito Alacaba spearheaded the turn over of the facility to Governor Alexander T. Pimentel in a simple rite at Barangay Dayoan, in Tago town.
In his acceptance message, Pimentel thanked the national government through the DILG for providing funds for the construction of the halfway house that will benefit former rebels in the province.
Pimentel said that with the active support of all the members of the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC), he is optimistic that the insurgency problem in his province will end within the President's term.
Also attending the activity were 401st Brigade commander Brig Gen Allan Hambala, Surigao del Sur police provincial director police Colonel James Goforth, representatives of RTF-ELCAC member agencies and the former rebels. (Ben Balce)
