By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD City – Fifteen former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Negros Occidental received assistance from the government under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
Fourteen of them surrendered to the Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion (IB) and another submitted himself to the troopers of the 62nd IB.
Beneficiaries of the program were former members of the Yunit Militia established by the NPA in some barangays in the province, a press release from the Army said.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson turned over on Thursday checks for P15,000 to each of the rebel returnees.
The turnover was witnessed by Board Member Andrew Montelibano, Colonel Inocencio Pasaporte, commander of 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde), Lieutenant Colonel Gerard Alvaran, 79th IB commander, Local Government Operations Officer VII Fatima Diaz, and Provincial Social Worker Development Officer Jenny Macalipsay, at the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City.
Under the E-CLIP, qualified beneficiaries are entitled to receive livelihood grants, trainings and other assistance packages from various government agencies.
Lacson said that he’s very thankful that the former rebels have decided to return to the folds of the government.
“I hope that you will serve as good examples to your former comrades who are still in the mountains, if possible, convince them to come down now and surrender,” he added.
