THE law enforcement and local government agencies in Negros Occidental are now facilitating the release of assistance or the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-clip) benefits of the former rebels who returned to the folds of law in Sagay City on Saturday, the Philippine Army official said on March 4.
Colonel Benedict Arevalo, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, said they are now processing to release the benefits of the former rebels as soon as possible.
“It’s important to show to them that we are helping them and to encourage their other members to surrender,” he said.
He added that under the E-clip program, the former rebels will receive P15,000 immediate assistance; P50,000 livelihood aid; P12,000 to P500,000 firearms remuneration; also assistance in the following: PhilHealth enrollment and medical; half-way house; education; housing; legal; and healing and reconciliation initiatives.
On Saturday, about 25 members of NPA operating in the tri-boundaries of Murcia, Don Salvador Benedicto and San Carlos surrendered with their firearms to the Army's 79th Infantry Battalion; 6th Special Action Battalion - Special Action Force and 1st Negros Occidental Provincial Mobile Force Company of the Philippine National Police in 79th IB Headquarters, Barangay Bato, Sagay City.
Arevalo said since November last year, they were conducting local peace talks and negotiations in various areas in Negros Occidental with the Philippine National Police, local government officials as well as the barangay officials.
He said that they will continue to monitor the activity of the former rebels for their own security and to ensure that they will not go back to the mountains.
Lieutenant Colonel Emelito Thaddeus Logan, 79th IB commanding officer, said earlier said that the barangay officials played an important role in urging the NPAs to give up violence.
“The army also recognizes the efforts of the barangay officials especially their support to localized peace talks initiated by the 303rd Brigade since November 2018,” he said.
He added it is high time the rebels learn that they are just being used and fooled by communist organizers and recruiters who agitate them on various issues not meant to be resolved. (MAP)