THREE former members of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) received a total of P195,000 in financial assistance through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-Clip) at the Antique Provincial Capitol on Wednesday, August 6, 2025.
Each beneficiary was granted P15,000 in immediate assistance and P50,000 in livelihood support, in line with the Department of the Interior and Local Government–Department of National Defense (DILG-DND) Joint Memorandum Circular 01-2021.
The financial aid was formally turned over during a ceremony led by Antique Governor Paolo Everardo Javier with the participation of DILG Antique Provincial Director John Ace Azarcon, the Philippine Army’s 61st Infantry (Hunter) Battalion (61IB) headed by Lieutenant Colonel Jekyll Julian Dulawan, and representatives from the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO).
Javier thanked the former rebels (FRs) for returning to the fold of the law and assured them of the provincial government's continued support.
“Ako nagapasalamat kaninyo, nga nagbalik ang pagsarig nyo sa gobyerno. Ang aton probinsya ay handang tumulong kung ano man ang mga kinahanglanon niyo sa mga edukasyon, pagpangabuhian, ang ano pa man nga kinahanglan niyo dya kami para kaninyo,” he said.
(I thank you for restoring your trust in the government. Our province is ready to help with whatever you need in terms of education, livelihood, or anything else you require. We are here for you.)
One of the recipients, alias Ka Norman, recounted his experiences during his time with the New People's Army (NPA), particularly in the mountainous areas of San Joaquin, Miagao, and Igbaras in Iloilo and Antique. He cautioned the youth against being misled by insurgent propaganda.
“Kabudlay eh ang naagyan mo to, tugnaw, kagutom, kapoy gid eh sa laktanay tuyo ang ginalaot kang Philippine Army. Perti gid kapoy kag kabudlay. Te waay ka gid da paraabuton, mapatay kaw lang da. Waay gid kapuslanan ang NPA. Ang masiling ko na sa mga pamatan-on subong nga indi kamo magpadara-dara sa mga propaganda sang NPA kay ti waay gid kamo da maabtan, kapoy lang da kwaon niyo kag kamatayon niyo,” he said.
(It's really difficult what you've been thru, the cold, the hunger, the exhaustion, and now the Philippine Army is pursuing you. It's really very tiring and difficult. So there's really nothing to look forward to, you'll just end up dead. The NPA is truly useless. What I can say to the youth now is that you should not be swayed by the NPA's propaganda because you won't gain anything from it, it will only lead to your exhaustion and death.)
He expressed his gratitude for the assistance received from government officials.
“Salamat gid sa bulig kang mga opisyal ang gobyerno nga nagapungko sa poder, kag sa tanan nga opisyales kay kami nagbalik sa gobyerno. Amo na ani ang pinakabahol nga nabaton namon,” he added.
(Thank you very much for the help of the government officials in power, and to all the officials because we have returned to the government. This is the most valuable thing we have received.)
Javier encouraged the FRs to inspire others in similar situations to return to the government.
“Kabay pa gid kung may mga amigo kamo nga gusto man magbalik sa pagsarig sa gobyerno, open kami para kaninyo,” he said.
(We hope that if you have friends who also want to return to trusting the government, we are open for you.)
According to DILG Antique Provincial Director John Ace Azarcon, the E-Clip program offers a complete reintegration package consisting of P15,000 in immediate aid, P50,000 in livelihood assistance, and P21,000 in reintegration assistance allocated to the handling agency—either the Philippine National Police or the Philippine Army.
“Ang E-Clip Program naton is designed para sa mga former rebels nga gusto magbalik sa gobyerno. It has several components, we start with community integration nga ginpangita natun kung ano ang mga kinahanglanon sang aton mga kautoran kag ang rason ngaman naghalin sila sa sabak sang gobyerno, an immediate assistance of P15,000 as for the expenses nila while in the enrollment sang aton nga programa,” Azarcon said.
(Our E-Clip Program is designed for former rebels who want to return to the government. It has several components, we start with community integration where we look for the needs of our brothers and the reasons why they left the government, an immediate assistance of P15,000 for their expenses while enrolling in our program.)
Azarcon said that after a qualified applicant's background is reviewed, P50,000 is provided as start-up funds for their proposed livelihood program, followed by P21,000 as reintegration assistance to the PNP or Philippine Army handling agency.
Each of the FRs also received a sack of rice from the PSWDO as additional aid.
With the latest release, the Provincial E-Clip Cluster of Antique has distributed a total of P675,000, while the Provincial Government of Antique has extended a cumulative amount of P740,000 in assistance—including financial aid and food packs—to former rebels since the implementation of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-Elcac).
The 61IB reiterated its support for the government's peacebuilding efforts.
In a statement, it said, “We are here to support those who choose peace. To those still in the armed movement—know that there is help, there is hope, and there is a better life waiting for you and your family.”
The E-Clip program, administered by the DILG, remains a key initiative under the national government’s strategy to achieve lasting peace. It aims to help former rebels reintegrate into mainstream society through financial assistance, psychosocial support, and livelihood opportunities.
The Philippine Army and its partner agencies continue to call on remaining members of the CTG to surrender and avail themselves of government programs designed for their reintegration into peaceful and productive lives. (Leo Solinap/SunStar Philippines)