• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Forty-two former New People’s Army rebels received financial assistance from the provincial government of Negros Occidental, according to the Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade.
Thirty-five of the former rebels, who were formerly regular members of the NPA, got P30,000 each, while the seven other Yunit Militia members received P15,000, under the government Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program.
The financial assistance, according to the Philippine Army, aims to help the former rebel members in their reintegration to mainstream society.
Provincial Planning and Development Officer Ana Marie Lucasan, who represented Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, assisted by Lt. Col. Alfredo San Agustin, 303rd Infantry Brigade Executive Officer and Lt. Col. Zeigfred Tayaban, 94th Infantry Battalion commander, led the distribution of financial assistance to 42 former rebels in Murcia, Negros Occidental, on October 18.
Lt. Col. San Agustin, who represented Brig. Gen. Orlando Edralin, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, said he fervently hopes that the cash assistance received by the former rebels who have made the right and moral choice to return to the government, and avail of the many benefits and programs for them upon their surrender, will henceforth join in nation building for more peaceful and progressive communities where they live.*
