LOVE AND CARE // Former NPA Rebels in Bukidnon Get Christmas Gift from CLIP

From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Dec 15): LOVE AND CARE // Former NPA Rebels in Bukidnon Get Christmas Gift from CLIP

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon (DWDD) – 18 former NPA rebels coming from Guerilla Front 34, Guerilla Front 4B, Guerilla Front 6 and Section Committee 89 of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee received their livelihood assistance amounting to Php 65,000.00 from the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP), during a simple ceremony in Veranda, Casisang, Malaybalay City, December 15, 2015.

The CLIP committee of Bukidnon conducted the activity after a series of consultations and validation among said former rebels who surrendered to the government due to their disgruntlement on false NPA promises. It is notable that all of the 18 beneficiaries are members of the Indigenous Peoples or Lumads coming from the Umayamnen, Higaonon, and Talaandig tribes of Bukidnon
Jonathan Nacar, a former member of Guerilla Front 4B of the NPA’s North Central Mindanao Regional Committee, has expressed his gratefulness to the government for the additional support.

Jonathan recently received his AFP Guns for Peace remuneration amounting to Php 52,200.00 last July 13, 2015 in Impasugong, Bukidnon, when he surrendered an AK-47 rifle. “Grabe jud ang akoang kalipay sa dugang nga kantidad nga nadawat nako karon. Malipayon kaming mga kanhing rebelde kauban usab sa amoang pamilya. Wala gayud ko masayop sa akoang desisyon nga nag-surrender ko sa atoang kasundaluhan sa 8IB. Tinuod gayud ang tanang saad sa atoang gobyerno ug sa kasundaluhan, taliwala sa mga propaganda sa NPA. Busa sa akoang mga kaigsoonan nga nagpabilin pa gihapon sa armadong pakigbisog sa NPA, pakanaog na kamo ug magkahiusa kita sa dalan sa kalinaw.” (I am extremely happy for this additional amount that I have received today. We, together with the other former rebels, are so happy with this as well as our families. I really made the right decision when I surrendered to the soldiers of the 8th Infantry Battalion. Contrary to the propaganda of the NPA, the government’s promises are indeed true. That is why I am encouraging my brothers who are still with the NPA to go down and join us as we walk the road to peace.) says Jonathan.

Jonathan Nacar together with the other former NPA rebels who benefitted from CLIP are also beneficiaries of the Pilot Organic Farm (Arm to Farm) Program of the 8th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army, the LGU of Impasugong, Bukidnon and the DILG-Bukidnon.

In his statement, LTC LENNON G BABILONIA INF (GSC) PA, Commanding Officer of the 8th Infantry Battalion, said “We are very delighted that finally, our brothers were given their livelihood assistance, just in time for the Christmas season this year. Indeed, God showers His divine blessing to people who walk the path of peace. I enjoin our brothers who are still with the NPA, especially the Lumads, to lay down their arms and surrender to the folds of the law so that they may benefit from the same program. It is time for us to unite and end the violence that we have been experiencing for almost 48 years now. Let’s all work together for peace.” CMO 8IB / MCAG

http://dwdd.com.ph/2015/46374-2/