28 ex-rebels get remuneration, cash aid in Guihulngan City

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – The Guihulngan City Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (GCTF-ELCAC) in Negros Oriental gave firearms remuneration and financial assistance amounting to PHP273,000 to 28 former rebels and purported sympathizers last week.

The recipients were members of the Militia ng Bayan of the Leonardo Panaligan Command-New People’s Army (LPC-NPA), Central Negros 1 (CN1), Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor (KR-NCBS).

The ceremonial turnover of the assistance and unveiling of the Guihulngan City Peace Pole led by Mayor Carlo Jorge Joan Reyes, who is also the chairman of GCTF-ELCAC, was held at the City Task- Force ELCAC Office in Barangay Poblacion on January 15.

Also present in the event were Lieutenant Colonel Melvin Flores, commander of 62nd Infantry Battalion, and Lieutenant Crisanto Areglo, deputy chief of Guihulngan City Police Station, and department heads of different local government agencies.

According to the Army, five former rebels and Militia ng Bayan members turned over their firearms to the authorities. One former rebel who voluntarily surrendered on October 27, 2020 with an M16 rifle received a check for PHP45,000.

Another former rebel, who surrendered two .357-caliber revolvers and ammunition, received PHP24,000; while two others who surrendered their .38-caliber revolver received a check for PHP12,000 each.

Four of them received PHP10,000 each; eight others received PHP6,000 each, and 16 others received PHP5,000 each based on their categorization.

The GCTF- ELCAC has given the equivalent amount based on the Enhance Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), and financial assistance within the city level.

The activity was highlighted by the unveiling of the Peace Pole of the GCTF- ELCAC installed in front of the City Hall which symbolizes the city’s commitment to peace and bears the message, “Kalinaw ug Kahusay Ipatunhay” (Let peace prevail).

Meanwhile, Reyes said he was thankful that these former rebels decided to return to the folds of the government, as he assured them that the government and the military are always ready to help them.

For his part, Flores said they vowed to maintain the peace in the city, as he urged the former rebels to continue to be peace advocates and good citizens as well.