Gov’t gives ‘new life’ to 3 ex-rebels

By Liza Agoot

CAMP DANGWA, LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – The government has started to give assistance to three former communist rebels from Abra who voluntarily returned to the fold of the law.
    In the simple surrender ceremony that coincided with the inauguration of the Atok municipal police station on Thursday, police Cordillera director, Brig. Gen. Ronald Lee, gave cash aid and assorted groceries to the three former New People's Army rebels.
Benguet caretaker Rep. Eric Yap also gave sacks of rice to the three surrenderers.
    Dept. of Labor and Employment Cordillera regional director Nathan Lacambra also offered livelihood assistance to the surrenderees.
    Capt. Marnie Abellanida, PROCOR information officer, on Friday said the three will be processed under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) where they can avail of other assistance like housing, remuneration for the firearms surrendered, and scholarship.
    He said the three CTs were former members of the Kilusang Larangang Gerilya (KLG) North Abra and are all listed under the Periodic Status Report on the Threat Groups (PSRTG) watchlist for the 4th quarter of 2020.
    Abellanida said the three surrendered on April 27 after government troops continued to communicate and coordinate with their families who convinced them.
    “They were then transported (from Abra) to Benguet to seek refuge and for possible employment,” he said.
    The three were temporarily housed at the Benguet Provincial Police headquarters, prior to their formal surrender.
    The police officer said the three brought along with them firearms – an M14 rifle without serial number with 10 pieces of ammunition; one Thompson SMG with a magazine loaded with seven .45-caliber ammunition; and one Interdynamic SMG model KG9 9mm Luger bearing serial number SN 810069 with one magazine and 13 pieces of 9mm ammunition, which will all have equivalent monetary remuneration. -- PNA