Key Philippine Military and Insurgency-Related Events: Kalinaw News: PAVE FOR PEACE//TUPAD Program extened to ASG Returnees

Saturday, July 25, 2020

Kalinaw News: PAVE FOR PEACE//TUPAD Program extened to ASG Returnees

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jul 24, 2020): PAVE FOR PEACE//TUPAD Program extened to ASG Returnees
ISABELA CITY, Basilan – The former Abu Sayyaf Group members, who are currently enrolled in the Program Against Violent Extremism, convened at the Headquarters of 4th Special Forces Battalion here in Barangay Cabunbata last Wednesday, 23 July 2020, for the orientation on TUPAD Program of DOLE, or Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers, as initiated by the Provincial Government of Basilan and Nagdilaab Foundation Incorporated.

A total of thirty-two (32) ASG returnees, who surrendered to the 4th Special Forces Battalion, were registered as beneficiaries of the TUPAD Program which is a community-based package assistance that provides emergency employment for displaced workers, underemployed and seasonal workers, for a minimum period of 10 days, but not to exceed a maximum of 30 days, depending on the nature of work to be performed.

Lieutenant Colonel Alex Ampati, the Commanding Officer of 4SFBn, lauds the effort of extending assistance to the returnees as he encourages other rebels, who are still in the mountains, to lay down their arms and go back to the folds of the law.

“Hinihikayat natin ang iba pa nating mga kapatid na nakikibaka sa kabundukan na bumaba na at magbagong-buhay. May panahon pa para magbago.”, Lieut-Colonel Ampati expressed.

The TUPAD Program orientation was also graced by Mr. Abou Asmawil as the representative of Cong. Mujiv Hataman, and facilitated by Nagdilaab Foundation Incorporated headed by Ms. Miriam Suacito.