Three former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) rebels who recently returned to the fold of the law received financial assistance from the Benguet provincial government.
In a press statement, Police Regional Office-Cordillera Information Officer, Capt. Marnie Abellanida, said the three former rebels surrendered to the Benguet Provincial Police Office.
He said the aid is aside from the financial assistance and remuneration for surrendered firearms from the government under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-Clip).
Abellanida said they will be assessed and processed under the E-Clip before receiving full financial assistance.
The government’s assistance program to former rebels was institutionalized to encourage the rebels to return to the fold of the law in exchange for a better life with their loved ones.
The Benguet Public Information Office said Gov. Melchor Diclas, who led the turnover of the financial assistance on Feb. 2 at the Capitol, thanked the Philippine National Police for their continued effort for the efficient and effective implementation of the whole-of-nation approach against insurgency.
During the ceremony, the former rebels also turned over firearms to authorities.
The Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.
The Anti-Terrorism Council also formally designated the National Democratic Front as a terrorist organization on June 23, 2021, citing it as “an integral and inseparable part” of the CPP-NPA that was created in April 1973. – PNA
April 26, 2024
