Davao de Oro – Twenty-six former members of the communist New People’s Army (NPAs) in this province received immediate financial assistance amounting to ₱ 10,000 each from the Provincial Government of Davao de Oro while waiting the other benefits under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
The E-CLIP is one of the programs under the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), a body created by President Rodrigo Duterte through Executive Order No. 70.
It aims to ensure sustainable and inclusive peace and put an end to the 50-year armed conflict perpetrated by the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).
The cash aid handed to the Former Rebels (FRs) led by Governor Jayvee Tyron L. Uy represented by Board Member Joseph T. Jauod, and Josephine M. Frasco, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) Department Head at the Capitol Old Session Hall on Tuesday.
Col. Glenn Jun C. Calambuhay, the deputy brigade commander of 1001st Brigade, Philippine Army, advised the FRs to be prudent in spending what they received from the government. “I urged you not to waste cash assistance. Instead, use this money as your capital in starting anew”.
“We in the military are happy to see you in deciding to return to the fold of the law and live a peaceful life in the mainstream society,” Calambuhay added.
A former rebel, who refused to be named for security reasons expressed his gratitude to the government in giving the financial assistance that will help in supporting their families.
“Dako sab akuang pasalamat nga gidawat ko sa gobyerno labina sa financial assistance nga ilahang gihatag isip dako kining tabang sa amua aron magamit namu sa negosyo ug makasugod mi sa among panginabuhian,” former rebel said.
Information gathered from the PSWDO showed that of the 26 FRs awarded, 11 surrendered to the 71st Infantry Battalion (IB), six in 25 IB, three in 60 IB, another three in 101 Military Intelligent Company (MICO), two in Regional Intelligent Unit XI, and one in 66 IB. Some of them are members of Indigenous People (IP). (Rheafe C. Hortizano)
(Source: Information Division Davao de Oro PIO)
