Army officer says ex-NPA combatants may enlist in military

From the Philippine Information Agency (Feb 15): Army officer says ex-NPA combatants may enlist in military

Former New People’s Army (NPA) combatants may enlist in the military provided they are qualified.

According to Col. Roger Salvador, commanding officer of the 501st Infantry Brigade based here, this is part of the local initiative coined by the local government and the brigade to accommodate for integration to the AFP rebel returnees who returned to the fold of the law.

He said the project is part of the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP), the seventh reintegration program the government is pursuing to end the decades-long insurgency problem in the country.

Aside from providing them with livelihood assistance, they can opt for military training so they can legitimately serve the country, Salvador said.

“The standard qualifications for candidate-soldier will apply,” Salvador clarified adding that those who are overaged may be substituted by their dependents or relatives up to the third-degree of consanguinity.”

Salvador said during the CLIP meeting held recently here that active NPAs who will voluntarily surrender to rejoin mainstream society may be covered by the program. “All channels for surrender are open. They can approach local officials, social welfare officers, the military, law enforcers or any credible person,” he said.

Meantime, 144 former Cordillera Peoples Liberation Army (CPLA) members who surrendered their firearms have applied for integration to the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Their dependents substituted for their parents who are over aged.

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=171360823301