15 rebel returnees in Compostela Valley receive gov't assistance

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 24): 15 rebel returnees in Compostela Valley receive gov't assistance

Fifteen New People’s Army (NPA) rebels who returned to the folds of the law have received cash and livelihood assistance from the national and provincial government of Compostela Valley.

This was bared by the provincial government on Wednesday following the presentation of the 15 rebel returnees by Colonel Macairog Alberto, commander of the 1001st Infantry Pag-asa Brigade of the Philippine Army (PA) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to Vice Governor Manuel E. Zamora.

Zamora, who represented Governor Arturo Uy during the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) at the Capitol building, gave each rebel returnee PHP5,000 as immediate cash assistance, food packs and other materials such as mosquito nets, blankets for their respective families. They were also given temporary shelter plus meals and other livelihood assistance in a “half way village” in Nabunturan.

Zamora urged the rebel returnees to completely abandon armed struggle and to become productive members of their respective communities and hoping that this will encourage others.

The rebel returnees will also undergo seminars and trainings as part of the evaluation of the Comval Support Units for their educational background such as agricultural production, electrical and other skills and technical education under the CLIP program of the government.

The technical education will help the returnees become productive when they are reintegrated to their respective communities.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=869837