30 ex-NPA rebels in Zambo Norte receive P1.8-M cash aid

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 12, 2021): 30 ex-NPA rebels in Zambo Norte receive P1.8-M cash aid (By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.)

CASH AID. Thirty former New People's Army (NPA) rebels receive some P1.8 million cash aid from the government. The distribution was conducted during the 1st Quarter Provincial Peace and Order Council meeting of Zamboanga del Norte and Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (TF-ELCAC) in Dipolog City, the province's capital on Feb. 10, 2021. (Photo courtesy of Army's 102nd Infantry Brigade)

Thirty former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in the province of Zamboanga del Norte have received some PHP1.8 million in total cash assistance from the government, officials announced Friday.

Brig. Gen. Leonel Nicolas, 102nd Infantry Brigade commander, said the cash aid was distributed during the 1st Quarter Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) and Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (TF-ELCAC) meeting in Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte last Wednesday.

Nicolas said the financial assistance is part of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) package that will support the former rebels' transition back to the mainstream society as productive members of their communities.

Oliver Ombos, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Zamboanga del Norte provincial director, said 25 of the 30 former NPAs received PHP15,000 each as immediate cash assistance and PHP50,000 livelihood assistance.

Ombos said that four, who were presented to the PPOC, received PHP20,000 each as cash assistance from the provincial government of Zamboanga del Norte, while the other received a PHP120,000 firearm remuneration for the M-14 assault rifle he surrendered.

During the meeting, the peace and order situation of Zamboanga del Norte, drug campaign updates and the TF-ELCAC accomplishments and updates were also discussed.

“We are urging the remaining members of the Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee to lay down their arms, abandon the armed struggle and pursue a peaceful life with the support of the whole nation,” Nicolas said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1130488