5 ex-rebels get cash aid from Borongan city gov’t

From the Philippine News Agency (May 27, 2024): 5 ex-rebels get cash aid from Borongan city gov’t (By Roel Amazona)

AID FOR EX-REBELS. The former rebels and the firearms they surrendered together with officials from the Philippine Army and the city government of Borongan, Eastern Samar. Five former rebels received cash assistance on Monday (May 27, 2024) through the Local Social Integration Program from the city government of Borongan. (Photo courtesy of Borongan City government)

TACLOBAN CITY – Five former rebels received cash assistance on Monday through the Local Social Integration Program (LSIP) from the city government of Borongan in Eastern Samar.

Former combatants of the New People’s Army (NPA) received PHP50,000 each from the city government, handed over to them by Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda, Philippine Army’s 802nd Infantry Brigade commander Brig. Gen. Noel Vestuir, and the Army's 78th Infantry Battalion commander, Lt. Col. Joseph Bugaoan.

The former rebels were identified by the military as Jevie Baleña alias Largo, Oscar Agohayan alias Kardo, Jeboy Mabag alias Sky, Daniel Belicario alias Father, and his wife, Iluminada Belicario alias Mother.

Agda said they are in full support of the reintegration process of former rebels, regardless of their hometowns. Some of them are residents of Giporlos town in Eastern Samar, Hinabangan town in Samar, and General McArthur in Eastern Samar.

“The city government is willing to help active NPA members who are willing to embrace the government once again. I hope they will live a peaceful life and not run in the mountains to be exploited by communists,” the mayor said in a statement.

The former rebels surrendered on April 29, 2024, after the launch of the Enhanced Friends Rescued Engagement through their Families (E-FReE) program of the Army’s 802nd Infantry Brigade in MacArthur, Eastern Samar.

The LSIP is just one of the programs of the local government intended for former rebels and aims to sustain the peace and trust of the family members of active NPA members by convincing the latter to return to the fold of the law.

Vestuir highlighted the success of the implementation of the E-FReE program and the families that have been reunited because of the said program.

“I am also thankful to the Borongan city government for the assistance and to the former members of the NPA for deciding to surrender and be with the government once again,” he added.

The E-FReE Families program optimizes the local government’s efforts to link and convince the remaining NPA members through the active participation of the rebels’ families to work for the peaceful surrender of their loved ones.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1225619