THE government has released financial assistance to six former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Zamboanga Sibugay province to alleviate their lives as they reintegrate back into mainstream society.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through the Zamboanga Sibugay Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), in partnership with the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict and 44th Infantry Battalion (IB), distributed the financial assistance to six former NPA rebels at the PSWDO at the provincial capitol in Ipil town.
The 44IB said in a statement Thursday, September 14, that each of the six former NPA rebels, now called “friends rescued (FR)”, received P5,000 cash assistance each or for a total of P30,000.
The beneficiaries of the cash aid distributed by the Zamboanga Sibugay PSWDO headed by Charis Erasmo Perez were Julian Sinto, Gemma Sistoso, Anthony Sumagang, Leonilo Paner, Jemar Omandam and Pivate Albert Roy Tiondo.
“The financial assistance was given to support the daily needs of the former rebels as they are reintegrated into the mainstream society,” the 44IB said in a statement.
The 44IB vowed to continue support to the local government units in implementing PTF-ELCAC programs for the people of Zamboanga Sibugay province.
“Sustaining the convergence ensures continuity of government services and alleviate the lives of the former rebels,” the 44IB said. (SunStar Zamboanga)