SIP fever continues to lure rebels
ROXAS CITY – About 548 surrenderees have availed of the government’s Social Integration Program (SIP) since it was launched in June 2009 to reconcile former rebels with their respective families and communities and transform them into productive citizens.
This was disclosed recently by Philippine Army spokesman Lt. Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos citing Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) records.
Burgos noted that the figure also revealed that 330 yielded firearms from the total SIP beneficiaries. A rebel returnee can avail additional P50,000 from the government for every turned over M-16 assault rifle.
The amount is on top of the livelihood benefits worth P50,000 in capital goods and Immediate Assistance Allowance (IAA) of P20,000 each.
The program is in line with President Gloria Macapagal–Arroyo’s commitment to put an end to insurgency problem by 2010.
The OPAPP accomplishment includes the 42 former rebels who were awarded the government’s incentive package last June at the Provincial Capitol here.
“The opportunity for a second chance to our brothers and sisters would not have been possible if not for the cooperation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Army, Philippine National Police, the Local Government of Capiz,” said part of the OPAPP press statement during the Capiz leg of welcoming rebel returnees.
OPAPP said that the former rebels who had gone back to the folds of the law are now locally coined as “KR” or Kaupod sa Reporma.” (PIA/A.Lumaque)