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[av_heading heading=’Former rebel rues life in mountains’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY CAROLYN JANE ABELLO
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February 4, 2018
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ILOILO City – Life in the mountains was “tough,” according to Jose (not his real name), a former rebel.
The 40-year-old was one of the three members of the Revolutionary Proletarian Army – Alex Boncayao Brigade from Barangay Cabatangan, Lambunao, Iloilo who surrendered in August last year.
They also turned over three rifles and a pistol, according to Colonel Leonardo Peña, commander of the Philippine Army’s 301st Infantry Brigade.
The former rebels were set to receive financial and livelihood assistance from the government.
According to Jose, he was thankful that he was able to reach the city.
What prompted him to turn himself in to the authorities after serving in the rebel group for 18 months was the constant transfer of location.
Under the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP), former rebels were set to receive at least P65,000 worth of assistance – P15,000 immediate assistance and P50,000 livelihood assistance – stated a joint memo from the Interior department and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process.
They were also set to get firearms remuneration (e.g., P10,000 for every operational long firearm), Peña said.
A committee will check if the firearms the three rebels turned over were operational, he added.
Evaluation and approval of qualification to the CLIP takes between three and six months, said Peña, noting that they were currently processing former rebel-candidates from Capiz province./PN
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