20 rebels enroll in gov't program

From the Sun Star-Davao (Nov 26): 20 rebels enroll in gov't program

TWENTY former rebels enrolled in the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (Clip) received a total of P1.3 million government cash assistance in Compostela Valley for them to start a reformed life away from armed struggle.

Clip is the National Reintegration Program for the New People’s Army (NPA) aimed at achieving permanent and peaceful closure of the armed conflict with a non-state group. This is also an effort to entice the rebels to come down and lay down their arms.

Second Lieutenant Amadeuz Celestial, Civil-Military Operations (CMO) Officer of the 60th Infantry Battalion (IB), said that these rebels received the cash assistance of the government during an informal releasing ceremony held at the Provincial Governor’s Office last Thursday, November 22.

Of the 20 rebels, 13 of them were from the municipality of Laak whose Clip enrollment was facilitated by the 60th IB while the four were surrenderers assisted by 25IB; two by 46IB; and one from 66IB.

All battalions are under the 1001st Infantry Brigade of the 10th Infantry Division, Philippine Army.

Each of the rebel returnee received P15,000 immediate cash assistance and P50,000.00 livelihood assistance plus additional remunerations for those who brought with them their firearms.

The ex-rebels also underwent medical examinations, stress and psychological debriefings, healing and reconciliation seminars and livelihood seminars along with other government and non-government initiated interventions that sought to help the FRs return to the folds of the law and back into the mainstream society.

 "Among the recipients were couple Marcelo and Noemi Antay and two others who were alleged to have been illegally arrested by 60IB earlier this year," Celestial said.

Celestial added that on May 30, Karapatan Southern Mindanao Region (SMR) released a statement accusing the military for illegally arresting the four rebels whom they claimed were members of Nagkahiusang Mag-uuma sa Laak (NAMULAK) organization.

However, Noemi, a former Militiang Bayan leader, personally denied the allegation against the military together with her comrades. They admitted that they, in fact, were members of the NPA and had voluntarily surrendered to the military through their tribal leaders in Laak.

 Meanwhile, Lieutenant Colonel Emmanuel Canilla, Commander of 60IB, said that these false accusations are merely black propaganda that seeks to taint the name of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) before the public.

“We only prove here that the allegations against us were wrong, if not malicious, from the very start. And this gives us further reason to believe that Karapatan and such other organizations are only out there to malign our troops and the government with every chance," Canilla said.

For this month alone, there were four NPA members--two of whom were militia ng bayan leaders also voluntarily surrendered to 60IB and brought with them their firearms and other war materials such as landmines.

 Since the ceasefire was lifted last February by President Rodrigo Duterte because of the series of attacks by insurgents against government troops, there were already more than 60 who surrendered to them.

1001st Infantry Brigade Commander Colonel Erwin Bernard Neri likewise expressed his optimism in the campaign to end the insurgency problem in its area while also helping communities establish the foundation for “inclusive human and economic development.”

“This trend of decisive military engagements, influx of NPA surrenders, and intensified collaboration among stakeholders, is proof that we are on the right track. And we intend to even amplify our efforts as we go on,” Neri added.

 Authorities vowed to further strengthen the program to give chance to rebels who wants to surrender to be reintegrated in the mainstream society.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/local-news/2017/11/26/20-rebels-enroll-govt-program-576755