TF Balik Loob facilitates ‘reintegration’ of 10.6K former rebels

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 25, 2023): TF Balik Loob facilitates ‘reintegration’ of 10.6K former rebels (By Priam Nepomuceno)

ASSISTANCE FOR FORMER REBELS. Defense Undersecretary Angelito De Leon (left), newly appointed chairperson of Task Force Balik Loob (TFBL), presided over the meeting that reviewed the benefits for former rebels (FRs) and their other concerns. He was assisted by acting TFBL executive director Arsenio R. Andolong. (Photo courtesy of DND)

MANILA – The government's Task Force Balik Loob (TFBL) has assisted 10,637 former rebels (FRs) and former violent extremists (FVEs) who have resurfaced and rejoined mainstream society as of 2016.

This is out of the 37,413 FRs and FVEs who have decided to avail of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) started by the Duterte Administration.

This was announced by newly appointed TFBL chair, Defense Undersecretary Angelito M. De Leon, during the body's first quarter meeting held on Monday (April 24) in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

"Among the accomplishments presented during the meeting was the number of FRs and FVEs who resurfaced since 2016, when E-CLIP started during the previous government administration. According to TFBL, out of the total 37,413 FRs and FVEs, 10,637 have been presented with immediate livelihood, reintegration benefits, as well as firearms remuneration," Defense spokesperson and acting TFBL executive director Arsenio Andolong said in a statement late Monday.

The meeting, which was attended by TFBL member agencies providing assistance to FRs and FVEs coincided with the anniversary of the task force tasked to oversee the implementation of the E-CLIP for the past five years.

"Additionally, TFBL reported that according to the DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government), the surrendered firearms for the same period reached 6,148. The equivalent amount of surrendered firearms was summarized at PHP151,079,811.49. To date, the immediate assistance granted to the FRs has amounted to PHP147,330,000," Andolong said.

He also said livelihood assistance provided by TFBL partner agencies reached PHP322.8 million and reintegration program benefits bestowed to FRs and FVEs reached PHP164.5 million.

In the meeting, TFBL partner agencies discussed issues and ensured continued and more effective implementation of programs to assist E-CLIP beneficiaries.

Representatives from the agencies shared their inputs on matters related to budget, program allocations, and other concerns pertaining to the projects of the different agencies including housing, employment and skills training.

"In his message, Undersecretary De Leon gave his assurance that the matters which require resolutions 'would be threshed out through operational procedures and policy interventions.' He added that 'alternative solutions must be employed to resolve issues and concerns to sustain the assistance for the FRs that are packaged under the E-CLIP through a working-group level'," Andolong said.

De Leon also expressed his appreciation to all those who organized and attended the meeting for their continued cooperation with the task force and encouraged their consistent presentation of benefits to the FRs.

He also acknowledged the accomplishment of the task force, especially during the incumbency of its former chairperson, Undersecretary Reynaldo Mapagu, for steering it during the critical stages of the government’s reintegration program that “resulted in the snowballing of surrender of FRs and FVEs.”

"Undersecretary De Leon is keen on ensuring that the task force remains to be a reliable cluster that sustains the assistance for all returnees under the E-CLIP," Andolong said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1200049