6 ex-rebels in Aurora get gov’t cash aid

BALER, Aurora – Six former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels from this province on Wednesday got financial assistance under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), the military said Thursday.

Lt. Col. Aries Quinto, acting commanding officer of the Philippine Army’s 91st Infantry Battalion, said the former rebels (FRs) received PHP340,000 from Reynante Tolentino Jr., who represented his father, Governor Reynante Tolentino, at the Aurora Trading Center in Barangay Calabuanan, this capital town of Aurora.

Quinto thanked the E-CLIP provincial committee for helping the FRs rebuild their lives.

‘Our FRs significant support is not just a financial boost; it also symbolizes a new beginning and commitment to them for their reintegration into our society, and we hope that they will properly use the assistance given to them. It’s better to invest it in their livelihood businesses to make it much bigger not only for themselves but also for the benefit of their families,’ Quinto said in an interview
.

He advised the FRs to use the financial assistance in small businesses to help them sustain their daily needs.

‘Don’t waste your opportunity being given by our government to be able to return to the mainstream of society. You will also be part of our territorial defense and will be turned over with the PNP soon; however, we will continue to help and support our FRs,’ he said.

The E-CLIP provincial committee is composed of the Aurora Police Provincial Office, religious leaders, the Department of Social Welfare and Development Office, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the local government unit, and the provincial government.

The E-CLIP is a complete package program for those who have decided to abandon armed struggle, return to the fold of the law, and join the mainstream of Philippine society.

It is a peacebuilding and social protection program that provides interventions to former NPA and Militia ng Bayan members to become productive citizens.

Source: Philippines News Agency