More remnants of the New Peoples’ Army (NPA) here and
from the neighboring provinces continue to return to the folds of the law
through the ‘Kabsatko Ipategko Program” of the Provincial Government of Abra
(PGA) in partnership with the Philippine Army.
For surrendering with their firearms, they are
given financial remuneration under the “Guns for Peace” program, formerly
the Balik-Baril Program of the government.
Last January 22, 2013, four former rebels were
given their checks for the firearms they have surrendered.
Three got P50,000 each for surrendering the M16
armalite rifles they surrendered while one received P60,000 for his
baby armalite.
The checks were awarded to the former rebels by Governor
Eustaquio P. Bersamin, assisted by Col. Paul T. Atal, Commanding Officer of the
503rd Brigade and Lt. Col. Danilo Domingo, Commanding Officer of the 41st
Battalion of the Philippine Army. It was witnessed by the Provincial Social
Welfare Officers headed by Decimia Cabang; the religious and private sector and
media.
In his message, Bersamin assured the former
rebels from Cagayan and Kalinga to bring to the attention of their
governors their need for further assistance in their reintegration.
He thanked them for their trust and confidence in his sincerity to carry out
the peace program of the national government.
He thanked the Philippine Army for helping the PGA
sustain his flagship program on peace and order and counter-insurgency through
the Kabsatko Ipategko ’which was launched during his first term as
governor.
The KIP aims to support the rehabilitation of
rebel returnees under a caring scheme where a sponsor assists the
former rebel in his reintegration to the community.
Atal likewise thanked the FRs for their “Pagbabalik-Loob sa
Pamahalaan” (surrender to the government), and commended the officers and
men of the 41st IB for their continued efforts in collaboration with the local
chief executives of the upland LGUs for facilitating the surrender of the
remnants of the NPAs.
Last month, two others surrendered and the PGA outright gave
them immediate financial assistance while their documents are being validated
and processed at the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process
for the release of their livelihood assistance funds.
http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=111390812953
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.