12 ex-NPA rebels get cash assistance

MALOLOS, Bulacan -- Twelve former New People’s Army guerrillas who recently surrendered to authorities have received financial assistance from the government.

The distribution of financial aid for rebel returnees was held in Malolos, Bulacan over the weekend, according to Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Carlito Galvez.

The beneficiaries were among those who surrendered to the military in Central Luzon on Wednesday.

“The communists have no regard for the young ones like this baby. We in the government, we protect them,” Galvez said in a speech, referring to an 18-year-old returnee who was carrying her  two-month-old infant.

Concerned government agencies will further assess the rebel-returnees to determine the needs that should be extended to them, Galvez said.

The former NPA guerrillas turned over six firearms and other weapons to the authorities.

Galvez encouraged the returnees to help the military convince their comrades who are still in the mountains to return to the fold of the law.