P285-K cash aid released to 57 ex-NPA rebels

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – The provincial government of Negros Occidental, through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development, turned over P285,000 cash assistance to 57 former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) last Tuesday.

Captain Mervin Rosal, civil military operations officer of Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde), said the rebel returnees from different local government units (LGUs) received P5,000 each during the turnover rites led by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson at the Social Hall of the Provincial Capitol here.

Lacson said the provincial government is committed to assist and support the former rebels as they re-integrate into society while Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) assistance from the national government is being processed.

“It is my utmost aspiration that more of our Negrense brothers and sisters in the armed struggle will come back and join us as partners in the achievement of our inclusive peace and development agenda,” he said.

In his message, Brigadier General Orlando Edralin, 303rd IBde commander, thanked the local government for its untiring support to the rebel returnees.

Edralin said the financial assistance was only part of the wide array of government assistance for the former rebels who have chosen to return to the arms of their families and society.

He urged the former rebels to help encourage their active NPA comrades to surrender with their firearms and have a peaceful life with their families.

The rebel returnees were also provided with food packs.