5 ex-NPA rebels in Ilocos get E-CLIP benefits

From the Philippine Information Agency (Dec 19): 5 ex-NPA rebels in Ilocos get E-CLIP benefits

Five former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels, who surrendered to the soldiers assigned to the army’s 81st Infantry Battalion in Ilocos Sur, received their benefits from the national government through the Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

Lt. Col.  Charles DZ Castillo, commander of the army’s 81st Infantry Battalion, said his unit facilitated the provision of the benefits for the five former NPA rebels.

 “On Dec. 7, each of the five former NPA rebels got  E-CLIP  benefits with a total amount of P65,000  in a simple ceremony at the provincial capitol in Vigan City,” said Castillo.

Of the total amount, P15,000 was the initial assistance and P50,000 was livelihood assistance.

Ilocos Sur Governor Ryan Luis V. Singson administered the awarding rites with the presence of the ranking officials of the army’s 81st IB and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Provincial Director Virgilio Sison.

The five former NPA rebels surrendered within the last quarter of 2017 to second quarter of 2018.

Since July 2016, Castillo said the army’s 81st IB has already facilitated the E-CLIP benefits for 35 former NPA rebels.

He said the primary initiative of his unit is to bring peace and development in Ilocos Sur and to encourage the NPA rebels to return to the the folds of the law.

E-CLIP is a complete package of assistance for the NPA members, who surrender to the government.

“The benefits that the former NPA rebels received will be of big help for them to start life anew. This is also enough reason for them to completely renounce the armed struggle,” said Castillo.

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1016252