SurSur army battalion cites gains in CLIP

From the Philippine Information Agency (Mar 24): SurSur army battalion cites gains in CLIP

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur – As the 36th Infantry Battalion (36IB) of the 4th Infantry Division (4ID) of the Philippine Army (PA) continues its campaign to win peace primarily through Community Organizing for Peace and Development (COPD) by offering the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP), its effort, like any other army front liners, has started to gain ground, according to Capt. Al Anthony Pueblas, its civil military operations (CMO) officer.

On March 20, Friday, during the DILG-OPAPP meeting held at the conference room of the Provincial Governor’s Office (PGO) here, eight former rebels (FRs) were given checks of P15,000 immediate cash assistance and P50,000 livelihood assistance under the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP).

The meeting called by DILG Caraga regional director (RD) Lilibeth Famacion was attended by Governor Johnny Pimentel as well as high ranking police and military officials and other representatives of government member-agencies.

The awarding of checks spearheaded by RD Famacion and assisted by 36IB commander Lt. Col. Anastacio Suaybaguio, Jr. and 75th Infantry Battalion commander Lt. Col. Haron Akaz highlighted the whole affair, said Pueblas.

Also, during the occasion, three high powered firearms were surrendered. Ariel Balili turned over one AK 47 and one M16 rifle; Jemuel Cañete also handed in one M16 rifle, he said.

Of the eight FRs, four have been surrenderees to the 36IB under Lt. Col. Anastacio Suaybaguio Jr.; the rest to the 75th Infantry Battalion (75IB) under Lt. Col. Haron Akaz, it was learned.

Pueblas identified the FRs who surrendered to their battalion as Rotchap Bangoy aka “Jay,” a squad leader of platoon 1 of the New People’s Army’s (NPA’s) Regional Sentro de Grabidad (RSDG) of the Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC); Gilbert Gardigo, now deceased after a short stint as Civilian Active Auxiliary (CAA) being a casualty in an encounter last year with former comrades;  Jayson Tumanan aka Mac-Mac of Guerilla Front-4B (GF-4B) of the Northcentral Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC); and Marilyn Umba aka “Shani,” a former member of Guerilla Front 30 (GF-30), which operates in the first district of Surigao del Sur. 

Surrenderees to the 75IB were also named:  Jomarie Secuya, Gedailyn Megallen, and Rosemarie Pandita.

However, the DILG bared the 8th FR in the list as certain Rene Betos, which Pueblas failed to mention.

Likewise, the CMO officer clarified that since FR Gardigo has already died, it was her elder sister Fe, who received the cash assistance due him.

Pueblas claimed that “CLIP is a joint program of the DILG a
nd Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) that seeks to contribute toward achieving the goal of permanent and peaceful closure of all armed conflicts with non-state armed groups,” adding that “it specifically aims to facilitate the mainstreaming of FRs as productive citizens and enhance capacities of local government units (LGUs) and National Government Agencies (NGAs) in the implementation of the same.”

Meanwhile, he pointed out that Lt. Col. Suaybaguio has continued to call on the rebels to return to the mainstream of society.

“To the rebels, lay down your arms and live peacefully with your families. Take advantage of the government’s integration program because it will provide you with an opportunity to return back to your families and communities and together we shall solve our problems the peaceful way,” said Pueblas quoting their battalion chief.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1741427182293/sursur-army-battalion-cites-gains-in-clip