Former Abra rebels receive gov’t aid

BANGUED, Abra -- Four former New People’s Army members received cash amounting to P260,000 from the Armed Forces of the Philippines guns for peace program (AFPGPP) and Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) during a simple ceremony here at the provincial capitol Wednesday.

They are Carlito L. Baligod, 43 and Edwin Cattris 43 both from Tuao, Cagayan, Eric C. Anniban, 20 from Licuan-Baay, Abra and Ruben Pasingan, 30 from Pinukpok, Kalinga.

Baligod received P50, 000.00 as integration financial assistance for CLIP and another P50, 000.00 from AFPGPP as he surrendered one M16 rifle. Anniban and Pasingan also received P50, 000.00 each as they surrendered their M16 rifles while Cattris received P60, 000.00f or his M653 rifle.

The government through the 503^rd Brigade and 41^st Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army, Office of Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP) in collaboration with the Provincial Government of Abra awarded said amount for them to start a peaceful life with their families.

Gov. Eustaquio P. Bersamin and Col. Paul  T. Atal, CO of 503^rd Infantry Brigade, led the awarding of symbolic checks to four (4) recipients of AFPGPP and one (1) recipient of CLIP which later encashed. Several personalities present witnessed the activity they were LTC Danilo R. Domingo, CO of 41^st IB, Supt Mario Mayames, Deputy for Operations, Abra PPO, Pastor Francisco Sanchez from Evangelical Church, Mrs. Decemia Cabang, PSWDO and Dr. Marites Benas from PIA-Abra.

                Prior to ceremonial awarding of checks, Hazel B Sagmayao @ Melpher,  NPA remnant was presented to Bersamin.

Sagmayao, 21, a resident of Licuan-Baay, Abra voluntarily surrendered with one M16 rifle  to 41^st IB under LTC Domingo last Jan.9.

Colonel Atal, also in his speech said the event was a concrete example of the sincerity of the government and commitment to peace and development initiatives by accepting former rebels to the community, giving assistance and letting them live with normal lives together with their love-ones and families.

He also urged the FRs to encourage their former comrades to return to the folds of law and avail of the government’s program.

Bersamin in his message expressed his gratitude to the Philippine Army, and stakeholders for the growing number of NPA remnants who surrendered in Abra.

He further urged the former rebels to use the money in any lawful-income generating activity that could bring benefits to their families.