NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Aug. 21 (PIA) – Fourteen former rebels who surrendered to 79th Infantry (Masaligan) Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, Philippine Army received assistance from the government under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) during a recent program at the Provincial Capitol.
Beneficiaries of the program are former members of the Yunit Militia established by the Communist Terrorist Group (CTGs) in the barangays who returned to the folds of the law to start a peaceful life together with their families. Each of the former rebels received checks amounting to 15,000 pesos as immediate assistance, a press release from the 79th Infantry Batallion said.
According to Civil-Military Operations Officer 1Lt. Normal Sorilla, the checks were formally handed in by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson in the presence of Board Member Andrew Montelibano, 303rd Infantry Brigade Commander Colonel Inocencio Pasaporte, 79IB Commander Lieutenant Colonel Gerard Alvaran, Local Government Operations Officer VII Fatima Diaz, and Provincial Social Worker Development Officer Jenny Macalipsay.
"I am very thankful that you have decided to return to the folds of the government and I hope that you will serve as good examples to your former comrades who are still in the mountains and if possible, convince them to come down now and surrender. Livelihood assistance from the government awaits them," Governor Lacson said.
E-CLIP provides complete package of assistance to former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) and Yunit Militias (YM) as well as their family members who have surrendered to the government. Under the program, qualified beneficiaries are entitled to receive livelihood grants, trainings and other assistance packages from various government agencies.
Lieutenant Colonel Alvaran said the activity clearly shows the government's sincerity in its call for the members of the CTGs to return to the mainstream society and live a normal life with their families.
"E-CLIP is a solid evidence that the government is sincere in reintegrating former rebels in the mainstream society and in ending local communist armed conflict. I commend these former rebels for choosing the right path and be part of building a better community instead of fighting against government authorities," Alvaran said.
"I call upon those who are still fighting in the mountains to give up the meaningless 'armed struggle' and embrace the path of peace and development. Do not be blinded by the propaganda and false ideologies being disseminated by the CPP-NPA-NDF and its allies. Brighter future awaits right here with the government and not in the mountains," Alvaran added. (JSC/Lljr/PIA6 Negros Occidental/Photo by 79th Infantry Battalion )
https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1050941
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