58 rebel returnees from WV avail of complete SIP package
A total of 58 rebel returnees from Western Visayas are now enjoying privileges granted them under the Social Integration Program (SIP) after they decided to give up the arm struggle and return to the fold of the law.
Under the SIP, a rebel who decides to surrender is entitled to a P20,000 initial assistance and an additional P50,000 worth of livelihood package.
Data from the 3rd Infantry Division (ID) of the Philippine Army (PA) showed that to date, 21 rebels from Panay surrendered to the 301st Battalion and 11 to the 302nd Battalion and 26 to the 303rd Battalion which are all based in Negros Island.
Meantime, 18 returnees from Panay have availed of the partial support while documents of the additional 29 rebels are being processed for their privileges.
“We see more of them surrendering,” said 1Lt. Mark Andrew Posadas, the chief of Division Public Affairs Office of the 3ID PA.
The SIP was launched by the government as one strategy to meet the goal of reducing the number of insurgents in the country to insignificant level by 2010. (PNA)