57 ex-NPA rebels get P1.2-M cash, livelihood aid

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – A total of 57 former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) received livelihood and financial assistance amounting to P1,260,000 from the provincial government of Negros Occidental last Monday.

Of the number, 42 rebel returnees each received P30,000 cash aid through the Local Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, while 15 others received carabaos.

The 42 rebel returnees were former members of Central Negros 2 (CN2) – Komiteng Rehiyon Negros Cebu Bohol Siquijor (KR-NCBS), who surrendered to the 94th Infantry Battalion (IB) last quarter of 2022 and first quarter of this year, according to the Army.

The 15 others were former members of the Rebolusyonaryong Partidong Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade-Tabara Paduano Group (RPM-P/RPA/ABB-TPG), who are now members of Kapatiran para sa Progresibong Panlipunan (KAPATIRAN), the Army said.

Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson led the distribution in the presence of Brigadier General Orlando Edralin, commander of Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde), Lieutenant Colonel Van Donald Almonte, 94th IB commander, Police Colonel Leo Pamitan, director of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo), and Anne Marie Lucasan, officer-in-charge of the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) held at the Social Hall of the Provincial Capitol building here.

Edralin lauded the unwavering support of the provincial government and 94th IB to the former rebels. “This is solid evidence that the local government of Negros Occidental is sincere in its commitment to help former rebels start anew, live normal lives again, and unite with their families,” Edralin said in a statement.

For his part, Major General Marion Sison, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division (ID), said that they look forward to more rebels laying down their firearms and embracing peace and development.