Former rebel, army officer, call on NPAs to lay down their arms, surrender, be with their families

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 25, 2020): Former rebel, army officer, call on NPAs to lay down their arms, surrender, be with their families (By PIA-8)

SAN ISIDRO, Leyte, Jan. 25 (PIA) - Ka Genia, 62, a former NPA member, called on other NPA members and supporters to lay down their arms, return to the folds of the law and reunite with their families.

“Sana makapag-isip-isip sila na bumaba na rin sila, para maranasan din nila ang katahimikan at kapanatagan na nararanasan na namin ngayon,” Ka Genia said when interviewed by the Philippine Information Agency.

Ka Genia who is from Taglawigan, San Isidro, Leyte, was among the 262 former NPA members and Militia ng Bayan who were enrolled in the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program for former rebels.

On January 22, a day before President Duterte’s visit, Ka Genia and the other FRs, accompanied by the members of the 93rd Infantry “Bantay Kapayapaan” Battalion met with the DSWD from Regional Office and Provincial Government of Leyte together with the DILG Leyte who facilitated the validation and signing of voucher of cash assistance to two hundred sixty two (262) rebel returnees who availed of the Enhance Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) of the government.

E- CLIP is a national government program intended for the rebel returnees who desires to return to the folds of the law.

Cash assistance, housing program, livelihood assistance and livelihood training are only some of the benefits that FRs will be receiving from the government under the E-CLIP once they surrender and choose the peaceful way of life.

LTC Roberto Beatisula, Jr., the Commanding officer of 93IB, reiterated the call on the remaining CTGs to lay down their arms and return to the folds of the law, to avail of the E-CLIP and come back to their families to live a free and peaceful life away from violence.

The military continues its support for the government's Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) to ensure that surrendering communist rebels have a holistic package of benefits that they can avail of, such as livelihood assistance, medical assistance, education, housing, and legal assistance. (PIA8)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1033422