SUPPORTING EX-REBELS. Former rebels receive lectures and orientation on government programs during the fourth general assembly of the Federation for Reforms, Initiatives, Empowerment, Nation-Building and Development (FRIENDs) at Camp Monteclaro on Aug. 31, 2019. The Philippine Army’s 61st Infantry Battalion assured that ex-rebels are updated on the government programs that they can avail of. (Photo courtesy of 61st IB)
The Philippine Army’s 61st Infantry Battalion (61IB) regularly gathers rebel returnees to hear their concerns and update them about government projects and programs.
Lt. Col. Joel Benedict Batara, 61IB commander, told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Friday that they hosted the fourth general assembly of the Federation for Reforms, Initiatives, Empowerment, Nation-Building and Development (FRIENDs) composed of former rebels, at the 61st IB headquarters in Camp Monteclaro, Miag-ao town.
The Army regularly updates the rebel returnees every month and holds a general assembly once a year.
About 50 rebel returnees received lectures and orientation from the Department of Labor and Employment, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and Department of Social Welfare and Development.
“We are coordinating with them to assist them with the current programs and activities. We have concerned agencies and had the presence of Miag-ao Mayor Macario Napulan and former Iloilo 1st District congressman Richard Garin who were there to support them,” Batara said.
The attendees of the gathering were from San Joaquin, Miag-ao, Igbaras, Tubungan, Guimbal, Tigbauan, Oton, and Leon towns.
Batara said the organized group of former rebels from these towns consisted of about 200 members.
The rebel returnees raised their concerns on some delays in project implementation. Batara said they were made to understand that the delay was caused by some unliquidated documents of villages.
“I checked on the projects that were given to them and most of it concern livelihood. It includes projects and programs on cattle raising, crop production, among others,” he said.
He said the organized group of former rebels helped the Army to easily reach out to them and for their members to easily request projects from the government.
Although the former rebels said there were times when the members of the communist group tried to convince them to return to the armed struggle, Batara assured that they will not be swayed as they witnessed how the government had extended assistance to them.
Some of the members, who surrendered in the 1990s, are now of old age.
“Some of them are now 60 years old and they also help the Army in spreading information to end the insurgency.
The elders have influence and some of them live in the upland villages, helping us promote peace,” Batara said.
The effort of the former rebels in spreading peace will be a significant help for those who are still in the rebel group to also return to the government fold, he added.
Rebel returnees are entitled to avail of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-Clip) to assist them in starting their lives away from the rebel group.
From 2016, E-Clip enrolled beneficiaries from Iloilo and Capiz provinces had reached a total of 79, said 1Lt. Hazel Joy Durotan, information officer of the 61IB.
A total of 21 regular members of the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) had surrendered in 2016; three in 2017; and seven in 2018 in Iloilo and Capiz.
In 2018, one member of the Militia ng Bayan from Iloilo and 47 in Capiz returned to the government.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1079729
Lt. Col. Joel Benedict Batara, 61IB commander, told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Friday that they hosted the fourth general assembly of the Federation for Reforms, Initiatives, Empowerment, Nation-Building and Development (FRIENDs) composed of former rebels, at the 61st IB headquarters in Camp Monteclaro, Miag-ao town.
The Army regularly updates the rebel returnees every month and holds a general assembly once a year.
About 50 rebel returnees received lectures and orientation from the Department of Labor and Employment, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and Department of Social Welfare and Development.
“We are coordinating with them to assist them with the current programs and activities. We have concerned agencies and had the presence of Miag-ao Mayor Macario Napulan and former Iloilo 1st District congressman Richard Garin who were there to support them,” Batara said.
The attendees of the gathering were from San Joaquin, Miag-ao, Igbaras, Tubungan, Guimbal, Tigbauan, Oton, and Leon towns.
Batara said the organized group of former rebels from these towns consisted of about 200 members.
The rebel returnees raised their concerns on some delays in project implementation. Batara said they were made to understand that the delay was caused by some unliquidated documents of villages.
“I checked on the projects that were given to them and most of it concern livelihood. It includes projects and programs on cattle raising, crop production, among others,” he said.
He said the organized group of former rebels helped the Army to easily reach out to them and for their members to easily request projects from the government.
Although the former rebels said there were times when the members of the communist group tried to convince them to return to the armed struggle, Batara assured that they will not be swayed as they witnessed how the government had extended assistance to them.
Some of the members, who surrendered in the 1990s, are now of old age.
“Some of them are now 60 years old and they also help the Army in spreading information to end the insurgency.
The elders have influence and some of them live in the upland villages, helping us promote peace,” Batara said.
The effort of the former rebels in spreading peace will be a significant help for those who are still in the rebel group to also return to the government fold, he added.
Rebel returnees are entitled to avail of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-Clip) to assist them in starting their lives away from the rebel group.
From 2016, E-Clip enrolled beneficiaries from Iloilo and Capiz provinces had reached a total of 79, said 1Lt. Hazel Joy Durotan, information officer of the 61IB.
A total of 21 regular members of the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) had surrendered in 2016; three in 2017; and seven in 2018 in Iloilo and Capiz.
In 2018, one member of the Militia ng Bayan from Iloilo and 47 in Capiz returned to the government.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1079729
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