Former rebels receive cash aid from AgSur LGU

From the Philippine Information Agency (Nov 9, 2020): Former rebels receive cash aid from AgSur LGU (By 26th Infantry Battalion, PA)

TALACOGON, Agusan del Sur, Nov. 9 – Two former rebels (FRs) from the municipality of San Luis, this province received cash assistance amounting to P25,000.00 from the local government unit (LGU) of the said municipality on November 5, 2020.

Municipal Vice-Mayor Ronald Y. Corvera generously released the cash assistance as part of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) benefits, a government program that aims to help the rebel members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) and Militia ng Bayan to restore their allegiance to the Philippine government.

The FRs, alias ‘Gielan’ who was then a regular member of the NPA for one year, while alias ‘Nagoy’, an active member of the NPA for two years, both belong to the Guerilla Front (GF) 88 of North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) finally realized their futile struggle and made up their mind to surrender last August 24, 2020, with the hope to have a more renewed life together with their families.

Alias ‘Gielan’ expressed his gratitude to the government for the humane treatment they received which they didn't actually expect. “Wala namo damha nga bisan sa among pagka rebelde tabangan kami sa gobyerno. Gikapoy na mi sa bukid, walay pulos ang among mga pakigbisog. Gilimbongan lang kami sa among komander. Nag surrender mi tungod kay ang saad sa NPA nga maayong kinabuhi nahulog ra sa pag-antos ug kahadlok. Nagpasalamat kami sa gobyerno sa pagdawat pag-usab ug pagtabang kanamo (We were not expecting that despite being part of the rebel group, the government still accepted us and offered help. We got tired living and hiding in the mountains. Our sacrifices were useless and put to waste. We were fooled by our commander, that’s why we decided to surrender. We are thankful to the government for taking care of us)," he said.

Through this government program, the local government agencies are working hand in hand in serving various initiatives to help sustain the needs of the former rebels for them to be reintegrated back to the community, be with their families, and start over with their new lives especially in this pandemic crisis.

Lt. Col. Reynald Romel A. Goce, commanding officer of 26th Infantry (Ever Onward) Battalion, encouraged all other rebels in the province of AgSur to surrender. "I am greatly encouraging those who are still in the ranks of CPP-NPA movement to peacefully lay down their arms and stop this useless armed struggle, return to the mainstream society and contribute as good citizens for the prosperity of the community as well as the whole province of Agusan del Sur," he said.

“We sympathized to those NPA members who have realized the deception in their organization, that is why our door is open to those who are willing to go back to the fold of the law. We are offering them a way out. But if they continue to resist, then, they will cause their own senseless miseries. Surrender now, Christmas is coming, your family is waiting for you," added Goce. (2Lt. Cecille Tappa, 26IB/PIA-Agusan del Sur)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1058426