To give former communist guerillas the opportunity to live
in mainstream society, the government, through the Office of Presidential
Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) in South Cotabato ,
provided livelihood assistance to seven former New Peoples Army (NPA) members.
The assistance were coursed through the provincial office of
the Department of Interior and Local Government's Comprehensive Local
Integration Program.
Four former NPA combatants, who previously worked with
Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front (CPP-NDF) Guerilla
Front 73 and operated in the mountains of Lake Sebu, Surallah and T'boli,
received Php15,000 each as livelihood assistance.
The three others , who surrendered high powered firearms,
received Php20,000 each livelihood assistance.
In a statement, the local government office did not reveal
the names of the beneficiary for security reason.
The OPAPP program aims to bring former combatants to the
mainstream society and live normal lives.
One of the beneficiaries said that since he returned to the
folds of the law, he has been living happily with his family and children.
He revealed that as guerilla, he occasionally visited his
family undercover of darkness afraid government forces might chance upon him
and be get killed.
Now, the former rebel said that he can freely move around
town with his family.
The man, who identified himself, as Sergio also urged his
comrades to take advantage of the reconciliation program being promoted by the
Army's 27th Infantry Battalion based in Tupi, South
Cotabato .
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