55 ex-NPAs in Agusan Norte get cash aid
By Alexander Lopez
BUTUAN CITY – At least 55 former communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels received cash assistance from the provincial government of Agusan del Norte to help them start new lives with their families.
Maj. Renel E. Serrano, Police Regional Office-13 information officer, told the Philippine News Agency Tuesday (June 30) that the distribution of cash assistance was facilitated on Monday (June 29) at the headquarters of PRO-13 here.
“Forty-eight of these former rebels joined the pledge of allegiance to the government that was held last week here while the seven were former rebels who previously surrendered to PRO-13 and are being processed for their benefits from the government,” Serrano said.
Each surrenderer received PHP10,000 from Governor Dale B. Corvera and Agusan del Norte 2nd District Rep. Ma. Angelica Amante-Matba.
In addition, Serrano said PRO-13 is also working to process the documents of the 55 former rebels for them to avail of the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) for rebel returnees.
In a statement Tuesday, Brig. Gen. Joselito T. Esquivel, PRO-13 director expressed gratitude for the support provided by the provincial government of Agusan del Norte and the congressional office to former rebels.
“The recipients were grateful to the government for attending to their needs on their new life,” Esquivel said, even as he expressed optimism that more NPA rebels will surrender and return to the mainstream society
“Hopefully in the coming days, more NPA members will lay down their arms taking into account the government’s efforts in giving support to the former rebels,” Esquivel said. (PNA)
