Borongan City gives aid to ex-rebels

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 19, 2024): Borongan City gives aid to ex-rebels (By Roel Amazona)

FOR PEACE. A former rebel turning over his firearm to Borongan City government and Philippine Army in this Aug. 19, 2024 photo. The city government has turned over financial assistance to the two former members of the New People’s Army who surrendered to the Philippine Army’s 78th Infantry Battalion early this month. (Photo courtesy of Borongan City government)

TACLOBAN CITY – The Borongan City government has turned over financial assistance to two former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) who recently surrendered to the Philippine Army’s 78th Infantry Battalion (78IB).

Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda handed over on Monday some PHP50,000 to each of the former rebels who also surrendered their firearms.

The city government granted the financial aid through the local social integration program of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO).

Agda urged the two to convince their comrades who are still active members of the communist group to surrender and take advantage of the opportunities given by the government to help them start living a normal life.

Lt. Col. Joseph Bugaoan, commander of the 78IB, thanked the mayor and CSWDO for their full support for the former rebels.

He assured the city government that they would remain committed to maintaining peace and progress in Borongan City.

Several rebels in Eastern Samar have surrendered to authorities this year as the Philippine Army and local government units implement the Friends Rescued Engagement through Their Families (FReE Families) program.

The program optimizes the local government’s efforts to link and convince the remaining NPA members through the active participation of the rebels’ families to work for the peaceful surrender of their loved ones and take advantage of the benefits through the Enhanced Local Integration Program.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1231474