From the Manila Times (Nov 22, 2022): 50 BIFF insurgents surrender (By Christian Crow Maghanoy)
Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. PHOTO BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE
THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) reiterated its commitment in its peace and order initiatives following the surrender of 50 Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) insurgents in Sultan Kudarat.
Interior Secretary Benjamin "Benhur" Abalos Jr. said that the agency's commitment entails the promise of extending government support to former violent extremists (FVE) under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program or E-Clip.
"The government under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. remains committed to its peace and order initiatives. We will work on that. And now, with 50 FVE here in Sultan Kudarat, I am happy that you have chosen the path of peace," Abalos said in a statement on Monday.
"Expect your government to support you as you return to your families and society," he added.
Abalos said that all 50 surrenderers, upon proper documentation, can be eligible to receive government support under the E-Clip initiative.
He said the DILG field office in Sultan Kudarat is in continuous coordination with the local government unit (LGU) to ensure that the surrenderers will be granted support as they join the mainstream society.
The DILG chief stressed that by surfacing and returning to the folds of the law to become productive citizens of the society, the former rebels can take advantage of E-Clip's assistance that covers livelihood, education, housing, medical assistance, monetary remuneration for each firearm surrendered, and other social services crucial to their reintegration into society.
"We thank our FVEs who decided to leave their lives full of violence and return to their families to be a productive part of society. We are with you on this path," he said.
He likewise said that under the E-Clip initiative, some 611 former insurgents and their families have received P45.79 million in financial and livelihood assistance since July 2022.
According to the report of DILG in Soccsksargen, 47 of said FVEs received a collective amount of P540,000 where 15 received P20,000 each; 16 FVEs with P10,000 each; and, 16 received P5,000 each from the Provincial Government of Sultan Kudarat under the "Kakep Ka Su Kalilintad" or "Embracing the Peace" campaign. Three of the surrenderers were not able to attend the event.
"We thank the Sultan Kudarat provincial government for extending their assistance to our FVEs. Next is the help from the government through E-Clip."
The provincial government likewise handed 47 food packs that included rice, assorted canned goods, and instant noodles.
Abalos said all necessary steps for the inclusion of surrenderees as recipients of E-Clip are now being undertaken.
He likewise said close monitoring will be conducted to ensure proper utilization of government livelihood and financial assistance.
The DILG in Soccsksargen said the 50 former insurgents surrendered following a police operation of the Sultan Kudarat Provincial Police-Provincial Intelligence Unit under the supervision of Col. Christopher Bermudez and led by LtCol. Bryan Bernardino.
The former extremists likewise surrendered to the Philippine National Police numerous assorted high-powered firearms and one crew-served weapon or mortar and improvised explosive devices. They have been tagged and tied to the various bombing incidents in various places and attacks against police or military detachments in the region.
Abalos was joined by Sultan Kudarat Gov. Datu Pax Ali Mangudadatu, Ilocos Regional Police Director BGen. Jimili Macaraeg, DILG-Soccsksargen Regional Director Josephine Cabrido-Leysa, and the local chief executives of all the Sultan Kudarat towns.
Former governor Suharto Mangudadatu, Maguindanao Gov. Bai Mariam Mangudadatu and Rep. Bai Princess Rihan Sakaluran were also present to witness the surrender of the 50 FVEs.
The BIFF is an Islamist militant organization based in Mindanao. It is a smaller player in the overall Moro insurgency in the Philippines and is mostly active in Maguindanao and other places in Central Mindanao.
THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) reiterated its commitment in its peace and order initiatives following the surrender of 50 Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) insurgents in Sultan Kudarat.
Interior Secretary Benjamin "Benhur" Abalos Jr. said that the agency's commitment entails the promise of extending government support to former violent extremists (FVE) under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program or E-Clip.
"The government under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. remains committed to its peace and order initiatives. We will work on that. And now, with 50 FVE here in Sultan Kudarat, I am happy that you have chosen the path of peace," Abalos said in a statement on Monday.
"Expect your government to support you as you return to your families and society," he added.
Abalos said that all 50 surrenderers, upon proper documentation, can be eligible to receive government support under the E-Clip initiative.
He said the DILG field office in Sultan Kudarat is in continuous coordination with the local government unit (LGU) to ensure that the surrenderers will be granted support as they join the mainstream society.
The DILG chief stressed that by surfacing and returning to the folds of the law to become productive citizens of the society, the former rebels can take advantage of E-Clip's assistance that covers livelihood, education, housing, medical assistance, monetary remuneration for each firearm surrendered, and other social services crucial to their reintegration into society.
"We thank our FVEs who decided to leave their lives full of violence and return to their families to be a productive part of society. We are with you on this path," he said.
He likewise said that under the E-Clip initiative, some 611 former insurgents and their families have received P45.79 million in financial and livelihood assistance since July 2022.
According to the report of DILG in Soccsksargen, 47 of said FVEs received a collective amount of P540,000 where 15 received P20,000 each; 16 FVEs with P10,000 each; and, 16 received P5,000 each from the Provincial Government of Sultan Kudarat under the "Kakep Ka Su Kalilintad" or "Embracing the Peace" campaign. Three of the surrenderers were not able to attend the event.
"We thank the Sultan Kudarat provincial government for extending their assistance to our FVEs. Next is the help from the government through E-Clip."
The provincial government likewise handed 47 food packs that included rice, assorted canned goods, and instant noodles.
Abalos said all necessary steps for the inclusion of surrenderees as recipients of E-Clip are now being undertaken.
He likewise said close monitoring will be conducted to ensure proper utilization of government livelihood and financial assistance.
The DILG in Soccsksargen said the 50 former insurgents surrendered following a police operation of the Sultan Kudarat Provincial Police-Provincial Intelligence Unit under the supervision of Col. Christopher Bermudez and led by LtCol. Bryan Bernardino.
The former extremists likewise surrendered to the Philippine National Police numerous assorted high-powered firearms and one crew-served weapon or mortar and improvised explosive devices. They have been tagged and tied to the various bombing incidents in various places and attacks against police or military detachments in the region.
Abalos was joined by Sultan Kudarat Gov. Datu Pax Ali Mangudadatu, Ilocos Regional Police Director BGen. Jimili Macaraeg, DILG-Soccsksargen Regional Director Josephine Cabrido-Leysa, and the local chief executives of all the Sultan Kudarat towns.
Former governor Suharto Mangudadatu, Maguindanao Gov. Bai Mariam Mangudadatu and Rep. Bai Princess Rihan Sakaluran were also present to witness the surrender of the 50 FVEs.
The BIFF is an Islamist militant organization based in Mindanao. It is a smaller player in the overall Moro insurgency in the Philippines and is mostly active in Maguindanao and other places in Central Mindanao.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/11/22/news/regions/50-biff-insurgents-surrender/1867232
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.