BACOLOD City – The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Negros Occidental Chapter has partnered with cause-oriented group Task Force Kasanag (TFK) to provide free legal assistance to former rebels.
IBP-Negros Occidental president Arnel Lapore and TFK national commander John Chiong signed a memorandum of agreement during their meeting at Sugarland Hotel on Friday.
“This is the first of its kind,” said Lapore, adding that the partnership wants to achieve “genuine peace” by giving rebel surrenderees an equal legal protection.
The signing of the two-year agreement was witnessed by five IBP-Negros Occidental members and Philippine Army’s 31st Civil Military Operations commander Captain Win Love Bag-ao.
The partnership was part of the IBP’s mandate to provide community legal aid services pursuant to Supreme Court Administrative Matter No. 17-03-09-SC.
Under the agreement, IBP lawyers will provide legal advice on the rights and obligations of rebel returnees.
The lawyers must also draft and review legal documents relating to the process and approval of rebel returnees’ application for government programs.
They will also render post-legal assistance on a case-to-case basis.
The TFK, which has been assisting rebel returnees, will establish linkages between the former rebels and the IBP.
It will also ascertain the eligibility of an applicant and provide necessary administrative and logistical assistance to the IBP. (With a report from PNA/PN)
