Kalinaw News: 48 Former Rebels received initial Cash Assistance from Government

Posted to Kalinaw News (May 19, 2021): 48 Former Rebels received initial Cash Assistance from Government



Maco, Davao de Oro – A total of 48 rescued personalities who were former members of the Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs) received initial financial assistance from the Provincial Government of Davao de Oro in the town of Monkayo on May 18 2021, Tuesday.

Each personality received Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000) as initial assistance over and above their entitlements from the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP). Out of the 48 rescued personalities, 13 have recently completed the Healing and Reconciliation Program conducted by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development of the province in line with their de-radicalization.

This is a part of the assistance offered by the government through ECLIP – a program for the deceived personalities who signified their intention to return to the folds of the law. Rescued individuals are given a chance to redeem themselves, and reconcile with the government in order to prepare them for their re-integration to the mainstream society.

Jived with the activity is the Graduation Ceremony of 15 rescued individuals from Electric Installation and Maintenance NCII conducted by TESDA, Davao de Oro. Skills development training is very necessary especially for the rescued individuals who were deprived of liberty to self-development and livelihood opportunities for years.

Alyas Yeng, one of the rescued individuals said, “Grabe ang doktrina sa kalihukan, daghan naguba ang panginabuhian. Daghang estudyante ng naguba ang pag eskwela sa dihang na organized sa NPA. Dako among pasalamat nga naay gobyerno mitabang sa amoa sa amoang paglingkawas sa walay kagawasan nga sistema sa kalihukan. Dugay na unta gyud mi mo surrender apan gi-doktrina mi na pasakitan ug i-torture sa mga sundalo, apan sa among pqgsurrender, lahi diay kaau ang doktrina -bakak ra diay ang tanan. Sa tanan nga surrenderee, atong gunitan tanan ang mga gitudlo sa atoa ug gihatag nga kahibalo sa gobyerno sa atoa. Atong nang gunitan alang sa atong pag lambo.” (The doctrine inculcated in us in the armed movement is harsh, our livelihoods were destroyed. The future of the students who get organized were also destroyed. We are very thankful to the government who came to our aid, for our liberation from the NPA. We were indoctrinated that once we surrender, we will get tortured by the Army, but these were all lies. To my fellow rescued former members of the NPA, I encourage all of you to hold on to the learnings that the government has taught us. Hold on to it for our self-sustenance and self-development.) Alyas Khan, former leader of the dismantled Guerilla Front 33 expressed his gratitude for the assistance extended to them by the government. “Kaning programa sa gobyerno mao ni ang usa gyud sa makapiang sa kalihukan, kay nakita gyud namo ug sa katawhan ang ka seryoso sa gobyerno. Kaning Healing and Reconciliation, mao ni ang nitabang sa amoa alang sa pagbalik namo sa sabakan sa gobyerno nga adunay lig-on nga pamilya ug dunay kahadlok sa Dyos. Daghan kaayong salamat sa makanunayon nga suporta ngadto sa mga pareha namo nga mga nailad sa sayop nga tinuohan ug idolohiya,” (This program of the government that we have today will surely crumble the Armed movement because of its sincerity.

This Healing and Reconciliation Program helped us a lot in our preparation to reintegrate with the society. It taught us to be family-centered and God-fearing citizens. We thank you [government] for your continuous aid to people like us who were deceived by wrong ideology and belief.), he said. Meanwhile, Col Glenn Jun C Calambuhay, Deputy Brigade Commander of 1001st Infantry (PAG-ASA) Brigade congratulated the rescued personalities for accepting the golden opportunity to live peaceful lives together with their respective families. “Not only the government is winning in this endeavor, but you who are former members of the CTGs. We welcome you all in your reintegration to the society. I encourage you to make use of your training from TESDA. With the skills that you now possess, we are sure that you will live fruitful and peaceful lives,” Col Calambuhay said.

The rescued personnel were all enrolled to the ECLIP and their entitlements are currently being processed.

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/48-former-rebels-received-initial-cash-assistance-from-govern/