Ex-rebels get P23.6M at early Christmas rites

From the Visayan Daily Star (Dec 21, 2019): Ex-rebels get P23.6M at early Christmas rites

The 473 demobilized former combatants of the defunct Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade yesterday got early Christmas gifts of P50,000 each, for livelihood assistance from the government, through its Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program.

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Carlito Galvez, who led the distribution of cash grants to former RPA-ABB members, now known as Kapatiran para sa Progresibong Panlipunan, at the Nature’s Village Resort in Talisay City, Negros Occidental, said that the livelihood assistance was a commitment to them of President Rodrigo Duterte.

A total of P23,650,000 in cash was distributed to Kapatiran members in Negros Occidental, for their sustainable livelihood.

Galvez said they consider the peace agreement with RPA-ABB Tabara Paduano Group as a model for them in other peace engagements with other rebel groups in the country.

The P50,000 livelihood assistance to each member of the defunct RPA-ABB Tabara Paduano Group is on top of P25,000 financial assistance they got during their demobilization in September this year, held at Camp Macario Peralta in Jamindan, Capiz.

Galvez said the giving of Livelihood Settlement Grants to the former rebels is part of the government commitment to provide them with socio-economic interventions as they can live normal and peaceful lives with their families.

Former members of the New People’s Army who also surrendered to the government, received similar amounts of financial and livelihood assistance, while the Moro Islamic Liberation Front members got P100,000 each, the peace, reconciliation and unity adviser added.

“It is a clear manifestation that our government is sincere in its commitment to the peace agreement to this group,” Col. Inocencio Pasaporte, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, said.

The disposition of firearms and demobilization of Kapatiran members form part of the agreements in the Clarificatory Implementing Document signed by the group and the Philippine government on July 19 towards the completion of the commitments in the year 2000 peace deal, including also the training of its 267 members as Community Defense Unit members.

Galvez said that about 300 Kapatiran members have also been employed as forest rangers of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, aside from 267 CDU members, who will protect their respective communities from attacks of the New People’s Army.

Aside from financial and livelihood assistance, the government also provides Kapatiran members with housing units, farm-to-market roads, among other infrastructure projects, health services and educational opportunities.

Among those who witnessed the awarding of livelihood settlement grants were Kapatiran chairwoman Veronica Tabara, Social Welfare and Development Undersecretary Rene Glen Paje, Defense Undersecretary Cesar Yano, Abang Lingkod Rep. Stephen Paduano, Board Member Andrew Montelibano;

EB Magalona Mayor Marvin Malacon, San Carlos City Vice Mayor Christopher Paul Carmona, Kabankalan City Vice Mayor Raul Rivera, DSWD regional director Evelyn Macapobre, PLt. Col. Adrian Acollador, Lt. Col. Egberto Dacoscos and Maj. Dranreb Canto.*

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2019/December/21/topstory1.htm