PNP gives aid to nearly 1K ex-rebels

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 4, 2021): PNP gives aid to nearly 1K ex-rebels (By Priam Nepomuceno)

Defense Undersecretary and TFBL chairperson Reynaldo Mapagu (File photo)

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has so far provided financial, food, shelter, and security assistance to a total of 996 former rebels (FRs), the Task Force Balik Loob (TFBL) said on Wednesday.

"As reported to the TFBL Secretariat, the PNP has granted financial, food, shelter, and security assistance to 996 FRs, including their families as of 30 July 2021," the task force said in a statement.

As of this year, the TFBL said another 192 FRs have been employed as non-uniformed personnel while 963 were enlisted as police officers.

"Together with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the PNP is part of the committee that provides joint AFP-PNP intelligence clearance to the FVEs (former violent extremists) and members of the NPA (New People's Army) after they surrender," it added.

Established in April 2018 under Administrative Order No. 10, the TFBL, chaired by Defense Undersecretary Reynaldo Mapagu, serves as a central coordinating body to supervise the government's reintegration efforts for FRs and including their immediate family members.

It is composed of representatives from the Department of National Defense, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, Office of the President, and the National Housing Authority, as well as other partner government agencies.

The task force helps FRs and FVs in restarting their lives, enabling them to be reintegrated into mainstream society and reuniting with their families and relatives.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1149303