Former North Luzon rebels get P23 million

By Jerry M. Hernandez

CAMP AQUINO, Tarlac -- Former rebels in Regions 1, 2, 3 and the Cordillera received P23 million worth of immediate and livelihood assistance under the government's Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-Clip).
    Lt. Gen. Ernesto Torres Jr., Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) chief, disclosed that 1,156 rebels have surrendered in Northern Luzon since January 2018, including regular members of New People's Army and Milisyang Bayan.
    He said the AFP completed 10 halfway houses in Bantay, Ilocos Sur; Laoag City, Ilocos Norte; Burgos, Pangasinan; Ilagan City, Isabela; Lallo, Cagayan; Cabaruguis, Quirino; Lagangilang, Abra; Kiangan, Ifugao; Bontoc, Mountain Province; and Tabuk City, Kalinga.
    Another halfway house in Luna, Apayao, is undergoing construction and is already 85 percent complete.
    These halfway houses provide temporary shelter to former rebels and their families while processing their enrollment to E-Clip, which would serve as a venue for livelihood training and psycho-socio debriefing prior to their reintegration to mainstream society.
    "This indicates the government's sincerity in addressing the people who have been deceived by the communist terrorist group (CTG)," Torres said during a meeting with Defense Undersecretary and Task Force Balik-Loob chairperson Reynaldo Mapagu.
    Meanwhile, 195 projects under the Tatag ng Imprastraktura para sa Kapayapaan at Seguridad (Tikas) were programmed for Nolcom from 2019 to 2022.
    A total of 89 of these projects were already completed while 66 are currently being constructed and 40 are yet to start construction.
    Tikas is a convergence program of the Department of National Defense and Department of Public Works and Highways that aims to repair and rehabilitate military bases, barracks, roads, and other facilities that support the AFP Modernization Program.
    Mapagu urged the troops to continue with their mission in raising awareness to encourage remaining members of the CTGs to surrender and return to government fold, noting Nolcom's notable accomplishments in this direction.