Kalinaw News: Four Former Rebels get E-CLIP benefits in Aurora

 Posted to Kalinaw News (Sep 21, 2020): Four Former Rebels get E-CLIP benefits in Aurora

BALER, Aurora-Four Former Rebels (FRs) who recently surrendered to the government were given financial aid in this province, a top military official said on Wednesday (September 17, 2020).

LTC REANDREW P RUBIO INF (GSC), PA Commanding Officer of 91st Infantry (Sinagtala) Battalion, Philippine Army said that four former rebels were given immediate and livelihood assistance totaling P210,000.00 under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

He added that the beneficiaries of cash assistance were in the aliases of Ka Jovi who received Php65K, Ka Andoy-Php65k, Ka Bogs-Php65k and Ka Kaloy-Php15k of Komiteng Larangang Guerrilla Sierra Madre (KLG-SM) of the New People’s Army (NPA).

“The awarding of E-CLIP benefits to the FRs as initial assistance will basically support them to start a new life through livelihood opportunities. This will encourage those active NPA bandits to return to the folds of the law and avail the ECLIP and other benefits from the government,” Rubio said.

LTC RUBIO encourage the FRs to continually help the government by informing their relatives, friends, and fellow rebels who are still in the NPA ranks to lay down their arms and avail of the E-CLIP.

The battalion commander also advised the FRs to utilize the money wisely to become productive in the community.

Governor Gerardo A. Noveras expresses his sincerest thanks and gratitude to the ex-rebels for trusting the government and assures that they will be given benefits and livelihood assistance to start a normal and new life.

“Ang pamahalaang panlalawigan ay lubos na nagpapasalamat sa inyo dahil naniwala kayo sa ating gobyerno. Alam kong hindi madali ang ginawa ninyo dahil may grupo din na magagalit o hindi matutuwa mula sa mga dati ninyong kasama. Bagamat naligaw kayo ng landas sa maling paniniwala, ikinagagalak ko ang pagbabalik ninyo sa ating pamahalaan,” Noveras said.

One of the former rebels who gave his testimony said that poverty and lack of opportunities are one of the reasons why he joined in the NPA.

“I was convinced by their flowery words saying a brighter future if i joined in the armed group until we found out the truth, the hardship in the mountains, fatigues, lack of foods. Now, I am back to the folds of the law, trusting the programs of our government to get more help through E-CLIP program. I thanks the government for giving me the chance to become productive members of the community,” Ka Bogs said.

He quoted: “Hindi namin ginustong mapunta sa ganitong sitwasyon subalit dahil na rin sa kahirapan ng buhay, napaniwala kami sa mga pangako nilang magiging maayos ang lahat. Napakiharap ng aming dinanas at ayaw na naming bumalik. Hinihikayat ko din ang aking mga dating kasamahan na sumuko na upang magkaroon ng maayos na pamumuhay.

DILG Aurora Provincial Director Tactac, Jr. also expresses his thanks to Gov. Noveras for his full support to the E-CLIP program, Col. Siriban of the APPO and Lt. Col. Rubio for paving the way for the surrenderees to live in peaceful lives.

“Walang mabuting maidudulot ang karahasan. Tandaan ninyo kaylan man ay walang umunlad at umasenso sa digmaan. Maaring mahusay sila sa paggawa ng propaganda kung saan dinadaan nila ito sa tula at iba pa. Binabaluktot ang katotohanan, pero hangang salita lamang ang maibibigay nila. Sa inyong pagsuko nagkakaroon ng bagong panimula para sa mag magandang kinabukasan. Lubos an gaming kagalakan sa inyong pagbabalik-loob,” Tactac, Jr. said.

Retired Brigadier General Abrahan Claro Casis of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP); Provincial Director Lawyer Ofelio A. Tactac, Jr. of the DILG; Governor Gerardo A. Noveras; Police Colonel Raul Siriban of the Aurora Police Provincial Office (APPO); Abigaiel Paulino-Officer in Charge of the Provincial Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) and 91st IB led the awarding this morning at the governor’s conference room, provincial capitol building, Barangay Suklayin, Baler, Aurora.

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