Four former rebels get government assistance

By Geraldine G. Dumallig

TABUK CITY, Kalinga –  Four former rebels in Kalinga who voluntary surrendered to the government  recently  received a  total of P211,000 assistance  under the “Gun for peace program” of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. 

According to 501st Brigade Commanding Officer Col. Roger Salvador, the GFP was conceptualized as an AFP transition initiative program to assist surrenderees. 

It offers cash incentives to New People’s Army members who surrender with their firearms.

“The national government has allotted P10 million for this project nationwide which is an initiative to temporarily accommodate rebels returning to the folds of law while the transition of the Social Integration Program (SIP) to Comprehensive local Integration Program   is fully formalized,” he said.

This program he said, aims to ensure assistance is  provided to rebels returning to the folds of the law to become productive citizens and to live a peaceful normal life with their families.  

Aside from this, Salvador said two of the  returnees  also received livelihood assistance  while the other two were accommodated by the Philippine Army  after passing the qualifying test and training.

With these opportunities being offered by the government, other NPA members who want to get back to mainstream society were encouraged to avail of the assistance while funds are available.