27 ex-militia members get cash assistance

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

 

BACOLOD City – The provincial government of Negros Oriental extended financial assistance to 27 former militia members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Dumaguete City last Wednesday.

Governor Roel Degamo, along with the 302nd Infantry Brigade (IBde) led the turnover of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) immediate assistance to the said beneficiaries in a ceremony held at the Plenary Hall of Negros Oriental Convention Center.

The recipients who returned to the folds of the law from different municipalities in the province, received financial assistance of PHP20,000 each.

Of the total amount, PHP5,000 came from the province through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development (PSWD), while the PHP15,000 came from the E-CLIP fund of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

According to the Army, these former militia members previously served as runners, while some were auxiliary armed elements that support the hard core of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) – NPA – National Democratic Front (NDF).

Degamo was elated with the results of the continuous collaboration among the local government agencies, police, and the military in the province.

For his part, Colonel Leonardo Peña, 302nd IBde commander, in his message, said they need the support and cooperation of the public to end the insurgency in the province as he assured that they will continue to protect them as legal security forces.