By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD City – The provincial government of Negros Occidental through the Provincial Peace and Order Council distributed cash assistance of P754,000 to 14 former rebels who have surrendered to the Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion (IB), 15th IB, and Police Regional Intelligence Unit (RIU)-6.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson turned over the checks to the beneficiaries in the presence of Colonel Michael Samson, 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde) acting commander; Lieutenant Joshua Lodrigito of 62nd IB; Lieutenant Fernando Oliveros of 15IB; and Police Colonel Romy Palgue, director of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo), among others.
The turnover was held at the Social Hall of the Provincial Capitol here last Thursday.
The rebel returnees were from the cities of Kabankalan and Talisay, and the towns of Hinoba-an, Cauayan, Isabela, and Ilog.
Aside from the cash aid, food packs and agricultural seeds from the Office of the Provincial Agriculture (OPA) were also given to aid them as they gradually start anew.
Lacson thanked the former rebels for choosing peace that will contribute a lot to the peace and order situation of the province.
He also said that though the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to be a threat to the country, the provincial government remains committed in helping former rebels improve their quality of life.
“You all now serve as a living testament of the government’s sincerity to its mission,” Lacson said in his message.
