• GILBERT P. BAYORAN

Twelve former rebels who surrendered to the 62nd Infantry Battalion and police in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, have availed of financial aid, through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, on May 10.
Each of the 12 former rebels received P5,000 from the Task Force ELCAC led by Mayor Filomeno Reyes, with awarding rites held at the Guihulngan Satellite Skills Development.
One of the 12 former rebels is suffering from a severe illness, according to a statement issued by the 62IB.
Mayor Reyes urged the former rebels to convince their former colleagues who are still in the mountains, to return to the folds of government.
No need to carry their weapons and hide, feel hunger, or sacrifice walking under the rain and hot weather, they just need to surrender and be free just like you are today, he told the former rebels.
The giving of initial financial assistance was on top of benefits to be received by the former rebels under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program, also of DSWD.*