70 more rebels yield
At least 70 former rebels, mostly from the Paquibato District area, underwent the Needs Assessment Survey initiated by the 1003rd Infantry Brigade (IB) to determine what their concerns are in order to address these.
The assessment was conducted in coordination with the city government of Davao, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD 11) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in Barangay Mahayag, Bunawan District, Davao City.
“(This is) an endeavor that jumpstarts the integration of a very recent batch of Former Rebels to the social mainstream,” the statement read.
The NAS processing is centered on extracting the FR’s livelihood preferences. They were also advised on feasible projects fit for them to undertake in relation to their skills, once their enrollment in Tesda's skills livelihood begins.
It can be recalled that last month, around 50 former rebels graduated from Tesda and were equipped with the skills of their choice.
“The crucial role and intervention other government agencies have in successfully mainstreaming the FRs is inevitable, as the FRs, having been in a different psychological perspective due to intensive indoctrination and radicalization, see a hard time in the mainstream society,” the statement added.
Since there were minors who were part of the surrenderees, thus, DSWD personnel is needed to accommodate the children and handle their needs.
Colonel Ernesto C. Torres Jr, Commander of 1003rd Brigade underscored his optimism in the ongoing development and sees this as an opportunity for other active members of the communist group to lay down their arms since the government is moving to bring the services down to their community.
“This will further encourage more surrenders. This activity projected our sincere hopes to them that we really are after peace. There is so much fruitful development we can derive from working together, things that guns could not resolve,” Torres said.