Two more former rebels receive government cash assistance

From the Philippine Information Agency (Nov 16): Two more former rebels receive government cash assistance

The Joint Validation and Authentication Committee (JVAC) of the Samar Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) yesterday convened to process and approve the application of two former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) for government cash assistance. Mary and Jerry (real names are withheld for security reasons) were interviewed by the members of JVAC from DILG, Provincial Social Welfare and Development (PSWD), the army. PNP and a member of a civil society group with the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP). According to Luz Tacal, PSWDO the duo will initially get P5 thousand each from the LGU Samar but will eventually be granted another Php 50 thousand from OPAPP once they have submitted their livelihood proposal.... The Philippine Army and the PNP check on the record if indeed the applicant for government assistance is a rebel and that he has not been charged of any crime outside of his ‘cause’. The JVAC was organized to process and deliberate on the issues of surrendering rebels and are given certification that they are entitled to any financial assistance from any government institution.

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1221353027671