From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 2, 2021): Former rebels, supporters get assistance from DSWD XII (By DSWD XII)
DSWD XII Regional Director Cezario Joel Espejo hands over check to one of the beneficiaries of AICS. (Source: DSWD XII)
ALABEL, SARANGANI PROVINCE, Mar. 2 (PIA) – The central government has simultaneously released a financial assistance to more than two hundred individuals, mostly affected by armed insurgencies and former New People's Army rebels in the region, a senior official of the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office XII (DSWD FO XII) said.
In this town, 46 former rebels (FRs) who returned to the folds of the law and were affected by the global pandemic crisis received each P5,000 cash assistance under the agency’s assistance to individuals in crisis situations (AICS) at the town’s gymnasium.
Among the recipients, Amor Danway, 21, recalled that they were lured by their recruiters who promised them good life and free education, a factor that forced him to join the revolution since he wanted to get a degree in college.
“I was recruited in 2015 since they told us I can get free education. It never happened. Instead, we were taught how to use guns and sent to the front line,” said Danway after the distribution of assistance.
Danway said she was thankful nothing happened to her in a few actual armed confrontations she experienced with government forces in the mountains of Sarangani.
Meanwhile in the town of Banga, South Cotabato, around two hundred qualified residents were provided P3,000 cash and a box of family food packs each as part of the government’s support on the campaign to counter armed insurgencies in the region.
Sammy Imba, 44, a resident of Lam-apos village and father to seven children, said that he will use the money to buy groceries to cover their daily needs.
“I thank the government for bringing to us its services. This is a big help to us,” Imba said after he received assistance from a DSWD field worker.
Imba’s group set on fire the rebels’ flag as they condemned the atrocities the group perpetrated in the region, a turning point where they broke their allegiance to the communist underground movement and pledged their support to the government.
Cezario Joel Espejo, DSWD 12 regional director who supervised the distribution, said the gesture shows that the government will not stop in encouraging the rebels to start a comfortable life.
“We are all for peace. And we will not stop until we achieve it,” Dir. Espejo said as he recognized partners from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and local government units of Alabel.
The AICS, implemented by the department, supports the implementation of President Rodrigo Duterte’s Executive Order No. 70 in a bid to End the Local Communist Armed Conflict.
In 2018, President Rodrigo Duterte signed the EO 70, a landmark in the government’s ongoing campaign to end local communist insurgencies across the country.
Last year, the agency managed to provide life-saving support to less than 700 former rebels. (Reports from Yen Mangompit, Patrick Villas, and JBM/ DSWD)
ALABEL, SARANGANI PROVINCE, Mar. 2 (PIA) – The central government has simultaneously released a financial assistance to more than two hundred individuals, mostly affected by armed insurgencies and former New People's Army rebels in the region, a senior official of the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office XII (DSWD FO XII) said.
In this town, 46 former rebels (FRs) who returned to the folds of the law and were affected by the global pandemic crisis received each P5,000 cash assistance under the agency’s assistance to individuals in crisis situations (AICS) at the town’s gymnasium.
Among the recipients, Amor Danway, 21, recalled that they were lured by their recruiters who promised them good life and free education, a factor that forced him to join the revolution since he wanted to get a degree in college.
“I was recruited in 2015 since they told us I can get free education. It never happened. Instead, we were taught how to use guns and sent to the front line,” said Danway after the distribution of assistance.
Danway said she was thankful nothing happened to her in a few actual armed confrontations she experienced with government forces in the mountains of Sarangani.
Meanwhile in the town of Banga, South Cotabato, around two hundred qualified residents were provided P3,000 cash and a box of family food packs each as part of the government’s support on the campaign to counter armed insurgencies in the region.
Sammy Imba, 44, a resident of Lam-apos village and father to seven children, said that he will use the money to buy groceries to cover their daily needs.
“I thank the government for bringing to us its services. This is a big help to us,” Imba said after he received assistance from a DSWD field worker.
Imba’s group set on fire the rebels’ flag as they condemned the atrocities the group perpetrated in the region, a turning point where they broke their allegiance to the communist underground movement and pledged their support to the government.
Cezario Joel Espejo, DSWD 12 regional director who supervised the distribution, said the gesture shows that the government will not stop in encouraging the rebels to start a comfortable life.
“We are all for peace. And we will not stop until we achieve it,” Dir. Espejo said as he recognized partners from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and local government units of Alabel.
The AICS, implemented by the department, supports the implementation of President Rodrigo Duterte’s Executive Order No. 70 in a bid to End the Local Communist Armed Conflict.
In 2018, President Rodrigo Duterte signed the EO 70, a landmark in the government’s ongoing campaign to end local communist insurgencies across the country.
Last year, the agency managed to provide life-saving support to less than 700 former rebels. (Reports from Yen Mangompit, Patrick Villas, and JBM/ DSWD)
Source: DSWD XII
https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1068291
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