BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Three former New People’s Army rebels who abandoned the armed struggle received P200,000 worth of immediate assistance and cash equivalent to the firearms they had surrendered to the government.
Col. Inocencio Pasaporte, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, yesterday said that the three former rebels received on Monday an immediate assistance or subsidy of P30,000 from the Department of Interior and Local Government, while their enrolment to the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program are still being processed.
Pasaporte added that the three former rebels who turned-in their firearms received P110,000 in cash for the corresponding assessed cash value of their surrendered guns.
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson turned over the assistance to the three former rebels, which was witnessed by Pasaporte and Lt. Col. Melvin Flores, 62nd Infantry Battalion commander.
Lacson, in his speech during the activity held at the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City, said that the cash assistance will help a lot the former rebels and their families to start a new life.
On the other hand, Pasaporte said he hopes that the firearms remuneration and other government programs for peace and development will entice more rebels and active NPAs to take advantage of the many benefits waiting for them upon their surrender.*