Friday, May 8, 2020

Army extends food aid, face masks to ex-BIFF fighters

From the Philippine News Agency (May 8, 2020): Army extends food aid, face masks to ex-BIFF fighters (By Edwin Fernandez)



AID FOR EX-REBELS. An Army official (right) speaks to the rebel returnees who received food aid and face masks from the Army’s 7th Infantry Battalion in Pikit, North Cotabato on Thursday (May 7, 2020). The ex-rebels are pursuing productive lives once more through a reintegration program facilitated by the government. (Photo courtesy of 7IB) 

The Army’s 7th Infantry Battalion (IB) in Pikit, North Cotabato has taken a step to let former rebels feel that the government cares for those who want to become productive citizens by extending them aid.

Led by Army Lt. Colonel Rommel Valencia, 7IB commander, the soldiers on Thursday distributed relief goods and face masks to 19 former members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) who earlier surrendered to the government and are now undergoing reintegration procedure.

Valencia said the former combatants were also affected by the lockdown imposed as part of community quarantine against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

“We appreciate this help, especially now that we are under community quarantine,” one of the ex-BIFF said.

“This small act of sharing with you our blessings will show that the government is sincere in bringing peace in this part of Mindanao,” Valencia told the former rebels in the vernacular.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1102243

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