GOVERNMENT officials on Tuesday called on the former insurgents to embrace new lives and move on after the de-radicalization program and the release of livelihood support programs.
Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar said the skills training and livelihood programs offered by the government to the ex-rebels facilitate their reintegration into mainstream society and be productive members of their communities.
Andanar lauded the ex-rebels’ great zeal for the cause of a renewed life when he visited the Adlay crop fields grown by 50 former rebels (FRs) inside the Army’s 403rd Infantry Brigade camp in Malaybalay City.
He said the flourishing Adlay crops farm of the former rebels is proof that the government’s efforts on ending the local communist armed conflict comes to fruition.
“The government is sincere in improving the lives of the former rebels by giving them financial assistance and a sustainable source of livelihood for them to support their families,” said Andanar.
He added that the government programs offered to those rebels who decide to surrender include formal employment whether local and abroad through skills training, livelihood projects which include mushroom production, meat processing, sari-sari store or swine production, and “Habal-habal” motor mechanic, among others.
Meanwhile, through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), Army's 4th Infantry Division public affairs chief Major Rodulfo Cordero said the Army also called on the former rebels to apply the learnings they acquired after the de-radicalization process.
Cordero said the 3 to 6 months deradicalization program aims to prepare the former guerillas before their reintegration to their families and communities.
4ID commander Major General Andres Centino according to Cordero also asked the former rebels to accept the benefits under the e-clip program.
Cordero added that the former rebels surrendered to the Army from January until October this year due to the hardships they encountered in the hinterlands while with the New People’s Army (NPA).
"Our 4ID commander (Centino) always reiterates his call on the NPA members to lay down their arms and return to the folds of the government," said Cordero.
He said through the E-clip, former rebels are offered a more holistic package of benefits such as education, housing, medical assistance, legal assistance, firearms remuneration, psychosocial assistance, market livelihood and employment opportunities.
Like Andanar, Centino said with the government’s varied programs on reintegration offered to the former rebels, he is hoping that more [rebels] will return to the fold of law and seek a peaceful and productive life.
Andanar who is also the Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security (CORDS) in Northern Mindanao is full of hope that these 50 former rebel farmers who prospered in their Adlay crops and mushroom production inside the camp will serve as examples that will encourage others who are still with the rebel movement to give up the way of violence and embrace the path of peace and development. (Ben Balce with Recthie Tolinero and PIA Bukidnon)
