By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD City – The provincial government of Negros Occidental turned over a cash assistance of P270,000 to nine former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) last Wednesday.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson led the distribution of checks amounting to P30,000 to each former rebel in a ceremony held at the Capitol Social Hall of the Provincial Capitol here.
Lacson was joined by Brigadier General Inocencio Pasaporte, commander of 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde), Narciso Abad lll, provincial focal person for Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), and representatives from the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, Philippine National Police (PNP), and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
The nine former NPA members surrendered to the Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion (IB).
In a statement, Lacson thanked the former rebels for heeding the call of the government, and commended them for making the right decision of finally going home to their loved ones.
Lieutenant Colonel J-jay Javines, 79th IB commander, thanked the governor especially the Provincial E-CLIP committee for the untiring support and commitment in helping the former rebels as they reintegrate back to the mainstream society.
In total, 25 rebel returnees, including those who surrendered to other units under the 303rd IBde, have already received the same cash assistance.
