More than P1 million cash aid extended to 14 former NPA rebels in Negros

From the Manila Bulletin (Jun 14, 2023): More than P1 million cash aid extended to 14 former NPA rebels in Negros (By GLAZYL MASCULINO)

BACOLOD CITY -- The provincial government of Negros Occidental turned over P1,054,000 worth of financial assistance to 14 former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) who surrendered to the military.

THIRTEEN of the 14 former NPA rebels receive cash assistance amounting to P1,054,000 from the provincial government of Negros Occidental during the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) meeting chaired by Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson at Negros Residences in Bacolod City on Wednesday, June 14. (Glazyl Masculino)

The former rebels are from the towns of Toboso, Isabela, and Cauayan, and Escalante City in Negros Occidental, and Ayungon town in Negros Oriental.

The turnover rites held during the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) meeting at Negros Residences here on Wednesday, June 14, was attended by Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, Brig. Gen. Orlando Edralin, commander of Army 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde), and Juan Jovian Ingeniero, director of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Western Visayas.

Police officials led by Brig. Gen. Sidney Villaflor, acting director of Police Regional Office (PRO)-Western Visayas, also witnessed the ceremony.

Each rebel returnee received an immediate assistance amounting to P15,000, and livelihood assistance amounting to P50,000. They also received food packs, sacks of rice, and boxes of canned goods.

One of the former rebels though failed to show up in the ceremony for unknown reason.

Aside from them, the 62nd Infantry Battalion (IB), 15th IB, 94th IB, and 79th IB also received reintegration assistance of P21,000 each.

The assistance will defray the expenses incurred by the rebel returnees while they were in the custody of the receiving unit, pending the processing of their certification.

The financial assistance is part of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) of the government to help those who decided to return to the folds of the law and go back to mainstream society with their families.

https://mb.com.ph/2023/6/14/more-than-p1-million-cash-aid-extended-to-14-former-npa-rebels-in-negros