21 former NPA rebels in SoCot get P2-M aid

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 22, 2021): 21 former NPA rebels in SoCot get P2-M aid (By Allen Estabillo)

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

A total of 21 former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels from parts of South Cotabato province have received some PHP1.97 million in financial assistance under the government’s flagship Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

Haide Agustin, head of the South Cotabato Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, said on Tuesday the released grants comprised the firearms remuneration and immediate reintegration and livelihood assistance for the returnees.

She said these were released in a simple ceremony on Monday witnessed via Zoom by Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. and representatives from the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

The official said 16 of the former rebels received checks amounting to PHP86,000 each or a total of PHP1.37 million in immediate reintegration and livelihood assistance while three others got PHP174,000 each as firearms remuneration.

“The remaining two received a combined PHP422,000 in immediate reintegration, livelihood, and remuneration grants,” she said in a statement.

One of the recipients, identified as alias “Kerker,” expressed his gratitude to the government for helping him realize his desire to lead a normal life with his family.

The 19-year-old returnee, the youngest in the group, joined the NPA while still a minor four years ago but decided to surrender last year after being disillusioned with the group’s unrealized promises.

The second of four siblings, he said they were promised various benefits, among them the supposed free education.

“At my young age, I believed in their promises but none of those came into reality,” he said during the turnover ceremony.

"Kerker” said there is no more reason for him to remain in the communist terrorist group as government services are now available for them, especially with the free education and hospitalization programs being implemented in the province.

He vowed to use the PHP86,000 financial assistance he received from the government “to start a new life,” and initially plans to go back to school and start a livelihood project.

Tamayo said the provincial government remains committed to assisting rebels who want to surrender and go back to their communities.

He urged them to encourage their former comrades to also embrace the government’s standing offer to return to the fold of the law and take part in the reintegration program.

“We will continue with our efforts to address your problems, let us unite to achieve lasting peace,” he said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1144491