ILOILO Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. received a Plaque of Recognition Monday, June 9, 2025, for the Iloilo Provincial Government’s critical role in dismantling the Central Front, Regional Committee–Panay of the Communist Party of the Philippines–New People’s Army – National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).
The plaque was awarded by Colonel Vicel Jan Garsuta, commanding officer of the 12th Infantry (Lick ’Em) Battalion of the Philippine Army, based in Calinog, Iloilo.
The Iloilo Provincial Government has been recognized for its unwavering commitment to ending local communist armed conflict through strong support for peace and development, as stated in the ceremonial awarding, citing National Joint Peace and Security Coordination Center Resolution 15. Series of 2024, dated December 31, 2024.
The success of these military operations was strongly supported by the province’s Localized Peace Engagements (LPE) program, a core strategy of Iloilo's anti-insurgency campaign.
Under the LPE program, former rebels who voluntarily return to the fold of the law are provided with consistent and holistic reintegration support. These include social services, livelihood training, and community-based development programs aimed at empowering returnees to rebuild their lives and serve as models for others still in the armed struggle.
The National Government, through the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), further backed the reintegration through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-Clip). The program offers P15,000 in immediate assistance, P50,000 in livelihood aid, and P21,000 in reintegration support to qualified former rebels.
Joining the event were Iloilo Provincial Administrator Raul Banias and newly appointed commissioner of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples and former Calinog Mayor Alex Centena. (Leo Solinap/SunStar Philippines)