Wednesday, August 19, 2020

SoCot opens halfway house for ex-NPA rebels

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 19, 2020): SoCot opens halfway house for ex-NPA rebels (By Allen Estabillo)



The Provincial capitol building of South Cotabato. (File photo courtesy of the provincial government)

The provincial government of South Cotabato unveiled Tuesday a PHP5 million halfway house for returning New People’s Army (NPA) rebels.

Rudy Jimenea, head executive assistant of South Cotabato Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo Jr., said Wednesday the facility is now fully operational and ready to accept rebel surrenderers.

Jimenea said the halfway house, which was built through a grant from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), will mainly serve as processing center for former rebels as part of the local government’s initiative under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).


A provincial government briefer said the two-story halfway house, which is situated within the provincial Animal Production and Processing Center compound in Barangay Tinongcop, Tantangan town, has dormitory rooms, training room, office and several other amenities.

The facility will be used as a temporary home for former rebels as they undergo various processes and interventions under the E-CLIP. All activities related to the program, among them the awarding of assistance and livelihood training, will be conducted at the center.

The inauguration was graced by DILG-Region 12 director Josephine Leysa, 6th Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Diosdado Carreon, South Cotabato Vice Gov. Vicente de Jesus, board members Antonio Fungan and Ester Marin Catorce, and Tantangan Mayor Benjamin Figueroa Jr.

Jimenea reiterated the local government’s full support to the E-CLIP and assured that it will continue to assist the returning rebels in the province.

“Through this program, they can be reintegrated back to the community, be with their families, and start over with their new, normal lives,” he said in a statement.

Under the E-CLIP, surrenderers may avail of reintegration assistance worth PHP21,000, immediate assistance of PHP15,000, livelihood assistance of PHP50,000, firearms remuneration and other support interventions.

Since last year, over 100 NPA rebels under Guerrilla Fronts 72 and 73 of the NPA-Far South Mindanao Region have surrendered to the government.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1112765

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