By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD City – Four alleged members of Central Negros 2 (CN2), New People’s Army (NPA), who surrendered to the authorities last Monday, received P80,000 worth of cash assistance in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental.
According to the Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde), this is the ninth group of NPA rebels who surrendered this year, totaling 75.
Each rebel returnee received P20,000 cash aid, seedlings from the Department of Agriculture (DA), and food packs.
The cash assistance includes P10,000 from the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) and another P10,000 livelihood assistance from the City Task Force (CTF) to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC).
These rebel returnees also brought along with them high-powered and low-powered firearms and took their oath of allegiance in a ceremony facilitated by the local government and the 94th Infantry Battalion (IB).
They will also undergo profiling and assessment, and custodial debriefing in order for them to officially avail of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) of the provincial government through the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and PSWDO.
In his message, Brigadier General Orlando Edralin, 303rd IBde commander, said the cooperation of the people has played a significant role in enlightening many NPA rebels to choose the path of peace.
“I want to congratulate you on choosing the path of unity and transformation. Your decision to leave behind the armed struggle and reintegrate into society is not only challenging, but it is also courageous and inspiring,” he added.
Edralin assured that the Army and the police will provide you with the tools, resources, and opportunities to thrive and make a positive impact in society.
He commended the efforts of the 94th IB and the CTF ELCAC for their aggressive campaign in winning back the said NPAs into the folds of the law.
We hope that more will surrender in the interest of promoting peace and reconciliation for these NPA rebels, he said.
It can be recalled that a total of 25 NPA members also surrendered to Himamaylan City Task Force ELCAC on November 17, integrating themselves into mainstream society.
