ILOILO – Six former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels and one former Militia ng Bayan (MB) member received monetary assistance from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
Under DILG’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), the former NPA rebels each received P65,000.
The former MB member, on the other hand, received P15,000.
The ex-NPA rebels were from the municipalities of Lambunao, Calinog, Bingawan, Igbaras, and Barotac Nuevo.
Prior to the release of the financial assistance yesterday, the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) helped the beneficiaries create a business plan for their proposed livelihood projects.
Most of them were into livestock business, said Director Teodora Sumagaysay of DILG-Iloilo.
“We want to make sure that the money is used for its intended purpose,” she stressed.
Sumagaysay called other rebels to surrender and avail themselves of the government’s reintegration program.
DILG also gave P21,000 incentive to organizations or units where the seven former rebels surrendered.
They mostly turned themselves in to the Philippine Army.
Thus also yesterday the 61st Infantry Battalion presented to Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. the surrendered firearms and ammunitions. These included a US Rifle Caliber .30 M1 Springfield (Garand), .45 Caliber Pistol, homemade 12 gauge shotgun, Caliber .357 Revolver, Caliber .38 Revolver, and MG7 grenade. (With a report from LHC, Capitol News/PN)
