CASH AID. A former rebel, who recently surrendered in Negros Occidental, receives a check from Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson (left), in the presence of Col. Inocencio Pasaporte, commander of the Philippine Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade, in rites held at the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City on Monday (July 27, 2020). Lacson encouraged the beneficiaries to use the cash benefits in living a new life with their respective families. (Photo courtesy of 303rd Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army)
Three former rebels (FRs) in Negros Occidental received a total of PHP200,000 in immediate and remuneration assistance from the government under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
In a report on Thursday, the Philippine Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde) said each of the FRs, previously cadres of the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People’s Army -National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF), was given a check of PHP30,000 as immediate assistance and PHP110,000 more for the firearms they turned over to the authorities.
Col. Inocencio Pasaporte, commander of the 303rd IBde, said he hopes that with the benefits provided, more communist rebels would be enticed to yield to the government.
“Lay down your arms, return to the fold of the law, and avail of the E-CLIP. You can live a normal and peaceful life. Do not be deceived by the CPP-NPA terrorists’ fake promises of a better future,” Pasaporte added.
The FRs went to the Governor’s Office on Monday to receive their checks, the Army said in the report.
The PHP30,000 immediate assistance, which is a subsidy for the mobilization expenses of the FR while his or her enrolment in the E-CLIP is being processed, was released by the Department of the Interior and Local Government - Negros Occidental.
The firearms remuneration is based on the corresponding assessed cash value of the surrendered weapons.
The amount of PHP110,000 was released by the Negros Occidental provincial government.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, who turned over the checks to the FRs, in the presence of Pasaporte, encouraged the beneficiaries to use the cash benefits in living a new life with their respective families.
“You will serve as a living testament of the government’s sincerity to its mission,” Lacson said.
Earlier this month, 18 FRs in Negros Occidental also received immediate and reintegration assistance amounting to PHP36,000 each as one of their benefits under the E-CLIP.
The NPA, which has been waging a five-decade armed struggle against the government, 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/1110698
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