Ex-NPA rebels get P101.6-M assistance

At least 1,573 former communist rebels received P101.67 million in assistance from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in the past two years, Interior Secretary Ismael Sueno said yesterday.

Sueno said the assistance is under the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP), a national reintegration program for New People’s Army (NPA) rebels.

“The program has brought back former rebels and their families into the society as productive, peace- loving and law- abiding citizens,” he said.

Sueno called on the rebels to be partners for change by supporting the peace negotiations with the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA-National Democratic Front.

“The President and the government genuinely wish to put an end to one of the world’s longest running insurgencies. Let’s talk and work together for a just and enduring peace this year and beyond,” he said.

Under the DILG program, each rebel returnee is given P15,000 in mobilization expenses while their enrolment in the CLIP is being processed. Rebels also get livelihood assistance amounting to P50,000.

“Former rebels get psychosocial support together with their families and communities through healing and reconciliation initiatives,” Sueno said.

A local government unit or the Philippine National Police gets P7,000 in reintegration assistance to help defray the board and lodging of each rebel in their custody.

“It covers other incidental expenses that may be incurred while processing requirements such as birth certificates and identification cards which are needed to get a certificate from the Joint Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police Intelligence Committee that an individual is a member of the NPA and eligible for enrolment in the CLIP,” Sueno said.

Rebels also get incentives for each firearm that they surrender. More than 90 firearms were turned over to the government last year.

Rebel returnees can also avail themselves of the services of a halfway house or a temporary residence while their enrolment to the CLIP is being processed.

A halfway house was constructed in Mati City, Davao Oriental recently under the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan program of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process.

Former rebels are also eigible for PhilHealth coverage and other assistance such as capacity-building, skills training and legal assistance.