• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
A total of 14 former rebels who were once members of the dismantled Central Negros 1 (CN1-D), Komiteng Rehiyon – Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor (KR-NCBS), who voluntarily surrendered to 62nd Infantry (Unifier) Battalion, PNP of Guihulngan City and Canlaon City, and Guihulngan City Task Force to End Local Communists Armed Conflict, received financial aid under the government Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program.
Through the Provincial Department of the Interior and Local Government, 13 regular NPA members received P65,000 each for immediate and livelihood assistance, while a Militia Ng Bayan member also received P15,000 for immediate assistance, for a total of P910,000.
Aside from their ECLIP cash assistance, the Provincial Veterinary Office of Negros Oriental also awarded a cash assistance worth of P5,000 each to the 14 former rebels, totaling P70,000, according to a statement issued by the 62nd Infantry Battalion.
In addition, the Provincial Agriculture Office also distributed live native chickens, vegetable seedlings, and reading materials. Meanwhile, the Office of Negros Oriental Manuel “Chaco” Sagarbarria distributed 50 kilograms of rice, and food packs, through the Social Welfare and Development (SWAD) office of Negros Oriental.
In his message to former rebels, Sagarbarria said he hopes that the cash assistance they received will benefit them and their respective families. “Also, you will serve as a living testament of the government’s sincerity to help those former NPA members who lay down their arms and return to the folds of the law,” he added.
A former rebel thanked government officials, the AFP, the PNP, and other government agencies who are helping them.
If it was not for them, we would still be staying in the mountains. We told ourselves that we will never be victimized by the NPA propaganda. When we surrendered to the government, we received all the benefits from the government programs, “Ka Micmic”, a former NPA organizer and medical officer of the NPA in Central Negros 1, added.*
