74 ex-NPA rebels benefit from P4.8-M E-CLIP aid

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 1, 2024): 74 ex-NPA rebels benefit from P4.8-M E-CLIP aid (By Mary Judaline Partlow and Nef Luczon)

Google map of Bukidnon province.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – At least 74 former communist rebels in Bukidnon province received PHP4.8 million worth of financial and livelihood assistance on Thursday, the Department of the Interior and Local Government in Northern Mindanao (DILG-10) said.

In a statement, the DILG-10 said the distribution is part of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), coordinated with the provincial government and the Philippine Army's 403rd Infantry Brigade.

"The financial package includes food packs and surrendered firearms remuneration, which Governor Rogelio Neil Roque facilitated," the agency said.

Earlier, DILG-10 Assistant Director Yvette Tolentino Sunga said the series of E-CLIP recipients in the region encouraged more rebels to leave the life of insurgency to start a new and better life for themselves and their families.

“We want our former rebels to ensure that the benefits they are receiving from the government will mainstream back to the society. Hopefully, they will live normal lives and be productive citizens in their communities,” Sunga said.

E-CLIP aims to encourage members of rebel groups to surrender and reintegrate into mainstream society. The program seeks to address the root causes of insurgency and promote sustainable peace and development.

Negros Oriental clash

In Negros Oriental, government troops of the Philippine Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion (62IB) clashed with suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Canlaon City as relentless operations continued.

Lt. Col. Evelio Ilanga, 62IB commanding officer, told the Philippine News Agency on Friday that a three-minute firefight ensued between his troops from the Charlie Company and three suspected NPA members in Sitio Gusa in Barangay Budlasan, Canlaon City.

“The soldiers clashed with remnants of the NPA’s Central Negros 1 guerilla front which operates in the boundaries of Canlaon City and Guihulngan City in Negros Oriental,” Ilanga said.

No one was reported killed or injured among government troopers.

It was not immediately reported if there were casualties among the rebels.

However, Ilanga maintained that relentless operations continued to ensure that these remnants could no longer recruit new members or recover their strongholds.

Meanwhile, non-combat activities, such as the Youth Leadership Summit, were held in Guihulngan City in late July as part of government efforts to counter the insurgency.

Negros Island is gearing up to be declared as having a Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS) status after all NPA guerilla fronts have been dismantled.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1230303