48 rebel returnees receive P20T each
Forty-eight rebel returnees from the different towns of Iloilo province and the city received on Tuesday financial assistance from the Office of Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP) amounting to P20,000 each.
OPAPP Visayas area manager Alan Almoete, who led the distribution of checks together with Iloilo Provincial Administrator Manuel Mejorada and Iloilo Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Neneth Pador, said that the financial assistance is a component of the Social Integration Program to encourage rebels to return to the government fold and start a new life.
Almoete also urged rebel returnees at the Iloilo capitol lobby to encourage others to surrender now so they could also avail of the program.
The rebel returnees are from Janiuay, New Lucena, Anilao, Badiangan, Guimbal, Miag-ao, Alimodian, Balasan, Maasin, Lemery, Igbaras, Barotac Viejo, Leon, San Joaquin, Oton, Calinog, Lambunao, Pavia, Carles, Pototan towns and Passi City of Iloilo Province and Iloilo City.
Mejorada said that he hopes the rebel returnees would use well the financial assistance to start up their livelihood. He said “in the Bible, it is like a seed that you should grow to produce aplenty.”
He said that their success in starting a new life depends on their selves and that the government is here to help them.
In his response in behalf of the other returnees, Nimrod Marcelo said that they are very grateful for the government support. He said that he used to be a member of the New People’s Army Guerrilla Front operating in Northern Negros but he and his wife who is the head of their medical team decided to surrender in 1994 to give a bright future for their two children.
He said that he intends to use the financial assistance to buy a motorcycle to earn a living. (PNA)