Mountain Province – Some 13 former members of the New People’s Army (NPA), operating in Mountain Province and the Cordillera Region, received cash aid from the government in a ceremony held at the Poblacion, Bontoc, Mountain Province on May 31, 2022.
The rebel returnees received ₱ 15, 000 to ₱ 149, 000 livelihood assistance from the government.
The government has allocated more than ₱ 700, 000 for the 13 former rebels.
Mt. Province Governor Bonifacio C. Lacwasan Jr, Lieutenant Colonel Marcelo F. Valdez, Commanding Officer 69th Infantry (Cougar) Battalion of 7ID, PA, Provincial Social Welfare Development Officer (PSWDO) Miguela Angwani and Mr. Anthony Manolo I. Ballug, Provincial Director of Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) facilitated the awarding of cash assistance.
In his message, LTC Valdez believed that every concerned government agency performing their respective mandate and contribution in the anti-insurgency campaign will lead to end the local communist armed conflict.
“We are happy to see the developments in our campaign to end the local communist armed conflict. We assure everyone that the Philippine Army will always be your partner in our quest for lasting peace in the country”, LTC Valdez added.
The effort of the different local government units and national government agencies is part of the Whole of the Nation Approach to end the local communist armed conflict under Executive Order No. 70.
The executive order aims to facilitate the delivery of government programs and basic services to the marginalized communities as part of the End Local Communist Armed Conflict (Elcac) program.
Meanwhile, Major General Andrew D. Costelo, Commander, 7th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division reminded the former rebels to use wisely the cash assistance they received as seed money to start a new life and to support their respective families. (Joseph Manzano with reports & photo courtesy of 7ID, PA)