25 rebels end armed struggle days before NPA anniv
Twenty-five former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) chose to live their lives out of the mountains and embraced mainstream society, as they laid down their arms a few days before the 41st anniversary of the NPA on March 29.
The 25 former rebels manifested the end of their armed struggle during the Social Integration Program (SIP) awarding ceremony yesterday at the municipal gym of Poblacion, Calinog, Iloilo.
Maj. Gen. Vicente Porto, commanding general of the 3rd Infantry Division, said that the 25 rebels will receive an initial cash subsidy of P20,000 as part of their individual benefits package through the government’s Social Integration Program SIP.
These former rebels, who mostly hail from Calinog in Iloilo and from Tapaz and Dumarao in Capiz, surrendered their arms to our Philippine Army in order to avail of the SIP.
“They can also avail of additional P50,000 worth of livelihood assistance if they wish to have a livelihood project,” Porto said.
However, the beneficiary will have to undergo necessary training so that they will be well-equipped with the right knowledge before they get the financial support.
Aside from Porto, the OPAPP represented by Presidential Assistant for Western Visayas Raul N. Banias and a representative from the Archdiocese of Jaro were also present during the rites.
The awarding was hosted by Mayor Alex Centena of Calinog since the majority of the former rebels hailed from his municipality.
The mayor also vowed additional support to our former rebels so that they can transition back easily to leading a normal life free from the anxieties of being in the rebel movement and living on the fringes of society.
This activity is the third of its kind here in Panay since the 301st Infantry Brigade started processing the former rebels in 2008.
Aside from the 25 newly-awarded beneficiaries, 79 rebels from Western Visayas and Negros Oriental have already received their benefits and livelihood packages thru the SIP.
Capiz registered the most number of rebel returnees (27), followed by Negros Oriental (26), Negros Occidental (13), Iloilo (10), Aklan (two) and Antique (one).
Last week, 10 former rebels were also awarded an initial cash subsidy of P20,000.00 in Negros Occidental. As of today, our records show that the 3ID has processed and awarded 104 former rebels in both Panay and Negros islands.
“The influx of former rebels wanting to avail of the SIP is a result of our successful information campaign in the hinterlands and the effects of our continuous operation in insurgency affected areas.” Porto said.
“I think that when given a choice between hunger and hardship within the Communist Movement, or a chance to start a new life free of anxiety; I would choose the latter,” he added, referring to the former rebel’s motivations in availing of the SIP.
“Their movements are now limited because our soldiers are closing in on them as evidenced by the recent desperate measures they are taking that resulted in several successive encounters,” said Brigadier General Gerardo Layug of the 301st Infantry Brigade.
It can be recalled that a series of successive encounters between the NPA and the 82nd Infantry Battalion resulted in the discovery of landmines and other explosives. “We are continuing to lessen their numbers here in Panay not only through combat operations but moreso through our SIP. We would rather welcome back our wayward brothers than see them die anonymously fighting for a lost cause,” he added
The SIP is a program that was initiated by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) to support the AFP’s efforts through its Balik-Baril program and aims to provide former rebels with the needed resources to reintegrate themselves within the mainstream populace. Those who avail of the program will receive a cash reward for their surrendered firearms, undergo a Livelihood Skills training Seminar, and receive Livelihood Benefits in Capital Goods worth P50,000 each.
