Ex-rebels' ‘Halfway House' on

From the Visayan Daily Star (Mar 21): Ex-rebels' ‘Halfway House' on

The Army's 303rd Infantry Brigade is providing a “Balay Pagbag-o (Halfway House)” at Camp Gerona, Murcia in Negros Occidental, to shelter former rebels waiting for their papers to be processed for their rehabilitation, in preparation for re-integration to mainstream society.

2Lt Ma. Revekka Knothess Roperos, 303rd IB Public Information Officer, said the former rebels will also receive psycho-social rehabilitation, livelihood assistance, organic farming experience and skills, which they can use once they are re-integrated, aside from availing of the temporary shelter inside the military camp.

The Halfway House will be inaugurated today at Camp Gerona in Murcia.

In line with the 119th founding anniversary of the Philippine Army, Roperos said a bloodletting activity will be held March 22, also at Camp Gerona, in tandem with other sectors of society, that aims to promote the spirit of bayanihan through the giving of blood, in order to save lives.

Roperos said the series of Army activities in Negros Occidental started Friday, with a summit for the youth designed to transform the young into responsible citizens, and empower them to become future leaders.

A “Bike for Peace” was also held Sunday, from the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City to the coliseum in Victorias City. A display of the Army's equipment is ongoing in front of the Capitol.

The Army's 119 th founding anniversary tomorrow is on the theme “Serving the people. Securing the land.”

L t. Col. Rey Tiongson, 3rd Infantry Division spokesman, said the series of activities aim to showcase to the people that the Army is an active partner and stakeholder for peace and development in Western and Central Visayas.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2016/March/21/negor1.htm