Kalinaw News: 30 Former Rebels receive financial aid from DSWD

 Posted to Kalinaw News (Dec 20, 2020): 30 Former Rebels receive financial aid from DSWD

The 23rd Infantry (Masigasig) Battalion facilitated the release of financial assistance for thirty (30) former rebels (FRs) who are currently seeking temporary refuge in a halfway house at the unit’s headquarters in Jamboree Site, Purok 6, Barangay Alubihid, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte.
The distribution of the financial aid from the Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD) was conducted last December 8, 2020.

Each of the thirty (30) FRs received PHP10,000 cash benefit from the DSWD which is
intended for their personal needs such as clothing, medicines and other necessary items
while staying at the halfway house and processing their benefits from the Enhanced
Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) of the government.

Apart from the financial assistance, the FRs also received hygiene kits, sleeping kits, and
food packs.

Alias “Judy” is among the FRs at the 23rd IB who benefited from the recent release of cash
assistance.

“Dako kayo og tabang ang gihatag sa gobyerno sa amo hilabi na ang DSWD nga inabagan
sa 23rd IB. Makapalit na ako sa mga panginahanglanon, ilabi na sa akong mga anak
samtang ako naga process sa akong benepisyo nga makuha sa ECLIP program sa
gobyerno. Daghang salamant niini nga tabang. Ako makasulti nga ang gobyerno anaa
kanunay ug andam motabang ilabi na kanamo nga mga kanhing nahisalaag tungod sa
pagpanglingla sa komunistang grupo. Ang kasundalohan, ilabi na ang 23rd IB u gang mga
ahensiya sa gobyerno wala gayud nagpasagad kanamo,” Judy said.

2018 2015 2014

Judy added that she did not regret her decision to abandon the New People’s Army (NPA)
to return to the government and her family. She also asked those who are still inside the
communist movement to make up their mind and return to the fold of the law.

“Balik na kamo sa atong gobyerno. Ayaw na sayanga ang inyong kinabuhi sa walay pulos
nga pakigbisog kontran sa atong gobyerno. Biyai na ninyo kanang sayop nga ideolohiya ug
gimbuhaton sa NPA kay wala gayud kana ikatabang kaninyo, sa inyong pamilya ug sa
atong katilingban. Hawa na kamo niana nga kalihukan ug ubani ang inyong pamilya ilabi na
karong kasaulogan sa pasko,” Judy said.

Lt. Col. Julius Cesar C. Paulo, the commander of 23rd IB thanked the DSWD for providing
immediate assistance to the FRs.

He also emphasized the sincerity of the government in helping the former combatants who
decide to leave the communist movement.

“The government and the Army’s 23rd IB will always adhere to its promises of helping the
FRs transform their lives, from combatants to productive and progressive members of
communities,” Paulo said.

He hoped that the assistance given by the government will help the FRs in their daily needs
while processing their benefits from the ECLIP program of the government.

“Through the implementation of the different socio-economic programs and financial
assistance provided by the government under the Executive Order No. 70 and the ECLIP,
we can assure that the lives of our FRs will be improved. What is important is for the FRs to
obtain sustainable livelihoods that they can use to supply the daily needs of their families,”
Paulo said.

He also reiterated his call to the remaining NPA rebels in the area to surrender and receive
the benefits from the programs of the government.

“You still have the time to change your lives. Surrender now and avail of the programs and
services being offered by the government,” Paulo said.

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