3 EX-NPA REBELS IN LANAO DEL NORTE GET CASH ASSISTANCE UNDER E-CLIP

Lanao del Norte – Through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), three former rebels receive financial and livelihood assistance, and financial remuneration of surrendered firearms during a turnover ceremony at Kapatagan Municipal Hall on April 23.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) – Lanao del Norte released financial benefits to the FRs for firearms remuneration worth P346,000.00, and each one received a P15,000.00 as immediate financial assistance and P50,000.00 as Livelihood Assistance.

Mayor Barry Y. Baguio hosted the ceremony and was instrumental to the surfacing of the former rebels as well as in giving locally-driven assistance to the former rebels. He emphasized that his administration’s determination to support the program in order that there will be lasting peace and development in his jurisdiction.

“Kini usa ka pamatuod nga seryoso gayod ang gobyerno sa pagtabang sa atoang mga FRs padulong sa malinawon ug hapsay nga komunidad (This shows that the government is indeed serious in helping the former rebels live a peaceful and orderly life in the community),” said PLTC Mauro P. Guray, deputy provincial director of the Philippine National Police (PNP)-Lanao del Norte during the ceremony.

On behalf of Provincial Governor Imelda Quibranza-Dimaporo, Vice-Governor Ma. Cristina Atay thanked the former rebels for their decision to return to the community. She said, “Walay mas malipay kundi ang mga lumolupyo sa Kapatagan tungod sa inyong kabubuot-on nga musurrender. Hinaut nga maka ingganyo pa kamo sa inyong mga kauban nga mubalik sa sabakan sa atong gobyerno (The residents of Kapatagan are more than happy when you decided to surrender. We hope that your surrender would entice more rebels to return back to the government’s fold).”

On the other hand, Provincial Director Bruce Augusto Colao extended his appreciation to the Municipal Government of Kapatagan for their support to the operationalization of EO 70 in the province. He reminded the body that, “Unity is key in ending the local communist armed conflict in the country, thus we need to bear in mind always that this endeavour must be done through a whole-of-society approach.”

With President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s directive to squarely address the country’s long running insurgency by the Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army (CPP/NPA), ECLIP has been established to help former rebels be secured, assisted and integrated back to the mainstream of Philippine Society.

The activity was participated by members of the Provincial E-CLIP Committee and media representatives. (DILG 10/[Lanao del Norte]/[AdAsst II Justine Mae M. Acierto])(Revised copy/DILG-10/Jia Artajo)