6 ex-rebels in Antique get E-CLIP cash aid

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 21, 2022): 6 ex-rebels in Antique get E-CLIP cash aid (By Annabel Consuelo Petinglay)

REFORMED. Six former rebels in Antique province receive their financial assistance under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program of the Department of the Interior and Local Government on Monday (March 21, 2022). One of the ex-combatants, alias Boboy, said he was promised an escape from poverty when he joined the New People’s Army in 1986 when he was only 15 years old. (PNA photo by Annabel Consuelo J. Petinglay)

SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique – Some six former New People's Army (NPA) rebels from this province received financial assistance under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) on Monday.

Three former New People’s Army regular members received PHP65,000 each while PHP15,000 each went to three other Militia ng Bayan or NPA supporters.

Boboy, 51, said in an interview that he was only 15 years old when he joined the rebel group after he was promised an escape from poverty. He admitted his lack of education easily lured him into the movement.

He served as team leader and recalled his encounter with the military in Barangay Magsaysay, Culasi in 1988 when two of his comrades were heavily wounded.

He said lack of permanent shelter and a place to sleep and a tiresome life on the run convinced him to surrender in 2020.

“I have a cousin who surrendered first and he convinced me to also do so,” he said.

Antique Governor Rhodora Cadiao is hoping the beneficiaries will use the assistance well as they start their new lives.

“Don’t waste the opportunity being given by the national government to be able to return to the mainstream of society because you already know how difficult it is to live as rebels,” she said during the E-CLIP ceremony.

She added she sympathized with those driven to join the NPA because of poverty and lack of access to government support programs.

E-CLIP, under Administrative Order No. 10 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte in 2018, is a complete package of assistance to help former rebels and Militia ng Bayan members lead productive lives and restore their allegiance to the Philippine government.

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the Philippines.

The Anti-Terrorism Council also formally designated the National Democratic Front as a terrorist organization on June 23, 2021, citing it as “an integral and inseparable part” of the CPP-NPA that was created in April 1973.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1170278