Ex-rebels to join drug surrenderers in skills training

PALO, Leyte, March 8  -- Former rebels will join drug surrenderers in the second batch of skills training sponsored by the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) regional office here.

PNP 8’s (Eastern Visayas) Chief Supt. Gilberto Cruz said Thursday they would forge a partnership with the military in implementing the next 45-day training.

“The Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division found the training beneficial to former rebels since part of the reintegration program is to help participants find means to earn income or land a job,” Cruz said.

The next training, which will enlist about 300 participants, will run within the first semester of the year. The first batch completed the training on March 5.

Army 8th Infantry Division commander, Major Gen. Raul Farnacio, said they are joining the program given its holistic approach and the opportunity to converge with the police in reintegrating former armed rebels to the community.

“We are still in discussion with the police regional office on how we can involve rebel returnees to the program,” Farnacio told the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

“Most of the people recruited by rebel groups are deprived. Perhaps, with this activity, maybe this will become our chance to address our problem not only on illegal drugs but also in insurgency.”

Meanwhile, beneficiaries of the training program for first batch of drug surrenderers hope for a fresh start after receiving government assistance.

Among the completers was Ivan Alecha, 21, who volunteered to quit drug addiction and start a new life.

It was last year, at the height of the government’s implementation of the anti-illegal drug campaign Oplan “Tokhang”, that Alecha yielded to authorities.

“I’m thankful that I was chosen to become a beneficiary of the program because it enlightens me and showed me that I can be a better person and good provider for my family,” he said.

The PNP selected participants from six provinces and seven cities in Eastern Visayas. They have gone through a 45-day skills and livelihood training with the help of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and partners from the private sector.

Skills training offered include welding, motorcycle servicing, service consumer electronic products and systems, food processing, organic vegetables cultivation, organic chicken raising, massage, emergency search and rescue, stress management, traffic management, village peacekeeping operations, self-defense techniques, environmental protection, conflict management, internal security operations, community integration, counseling, and healing. (RTA/PNA)