42 Ex-NPA Rebels Receive PHP1.1M Cash Aid

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD CITY – A total of 42 former New People’s Army (NPA) members who surrendered to the Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion (IB) received PHP1,155,000 in financial assistance from the provincial government of Negros Occidental on October 18.

Thirty-five former rebels each received PHP30,000, while seven yunit militia surrenderers each received PHP15,000.

Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, through the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) and the Office of the Provincial Administrator under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), led the distribution of the financial aid at Function Hall 2 of Mambukal Resort in Murcia town.

According to the Army, the financial assistance aims to help the former rebels reintegrate into the community.

Lt. Col. Alfredo San Agustin, executive officer of the 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde), expressed hope that the cash aid will enable the former rebels to live normal lives with their families and contribute to nation-building in their communities.