Friday, July 12, 2019

Army-led livelihood training benefits 40 ex-NPA rebels

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 12, 2019): Army-led livelihood training benefits 40 ex-NPA rebels


ABACA TRAINING. Former communist rebels attend an Army-led training on abaca farming in San Miguel town, Surigao del Sur from July 9 to 11. (Photo courtesy of the Army's 36th IB).

Tago, Surigao del Sur — A total of 40 rebel returnees in San Miguel town completed the three-day abaca training organized by the Army's 36th Infantry Battalion (36IB) from July 9 to 11.

Held in Barangay Libas-sud, the three-day activity was part of the Army's Community Support Program (CSP) in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the local government unit, said 1lt. Jonald Romorosa, 36IB civil-military operations officer.

Lt. Col. Xerxes Trinidad, 36IB commander, said the training reflects the government's desire to help former New People's Army (NPA) rebels "return to the mainstream society and start a new life in peace and harmony."


"These benefits do not serve as an end, but rather a means to aid the FRs (former rebels) in securing a foothold in restarting their lives,” Trinidad said Friday.

Trinidad said the training taught farmers on the proper methods of growing abaca and the current technology to increase yield.

"This training will become their other source of income, it will be applied to their daily farming activities," the Army official said.

The trainers included Surigao del Sur provincial agriculturist Dr. Mark Quico, as well as Domingo Viduya and Mae G. Boloron of the Department of Agriculture.

Trinidad thanked the village officials led by Libas-sud chairperson Charlito Intas for supporting the activity.

The beneficiaries of the three-day training are members of Hayon Farmers Association and Sangay Farmers Association of Baranga Libas-sud.

San Miguel, a largely agricultural town, is one of the flash-points for NPA activities in Surigao del Sur.

The NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1074813

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