TACLOBAN
CITY, Nov. 15 -- The government on Thursday
awarded cash assistance to six former rebels in the province who are recipients
of local integration programs.
The six
rebel returnees received PHP807,000 cash and livelihood aid from national
government agencies and Northern Samar provincial government.
The
livelihood assistance to former members of the New People’s Army is meant to
help them start a new life. Before receiving the assistance, the six returnees
completed basic business management and livelihood skills seminar.
Under the
local social integration program of Northern Samar, a rebel returnee receives
PHP10,000 worth of immediate assistance and PHP30,000 worth of livelihood
assistance.
Northern
Samar Vice Governor Gary Lavin led the awarding assisted by acting provincial
social welfare and development officer Jenny Darish, and representative from
the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Maricel
Bantilo-Balasolla.
Brig.
Gen. Mario Lacurom, commander of the Army 803rd brigade based in Catarman,
Northern Samar, called on rebels in the region to surrender and reintegrate
with the community to avail government services.
By laying
down their firearms and surrender to the government, rebels are expected to
enjoy a normal life with their families, he said.
Lacurom
also thanked the provincial government and the Office of the Presidential
Adviser on the Peace Process in providing assistance to rebel returnees.
Also
during the program, a rebel returnee who requested anonymity thanked the
government for the assistance.
He said
that surrendering to the government is a great realization on their part that
their decades-old armed struggle is not only futile and deceptive, but also a
big waste of time.
The
returnee vowed to use the assistance prudently and vowed never again join
communist rebellion.
Aside
from assistance given to a former rebel, the provincial government also offers
monetary reward to any civilian who facilitates the surrender of a rebel under
the Provincial Ordinance No. 5 series of 2011.
Under the
ordinance, the facilitator receives PHP10,000 for the surrender of a rebel with
firearms and PHP5,000 without firearms.
Rebels
are still present in Northern Samar, said report from the 8th Infantry Division
said.
Eastern
Visayas region has 32 NPA-infested towns. At least 10 of these areas are in
Northern Samar -- San Isidro, Victoria, Bobon, Catarman, Lope de Vega, Las
Navas, Silvino Lobos, Laoang, Palapag, and Lapinig. (RTA/PNA)
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