At least 199 former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels pledged allegiance to the government and received financial assistance in a ceremony at the provincial capitol here Wednesday.
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. led the distribution of assistance to the former NPA rebels, together with the region’s provincial governors and local officials.
Of the 199 NPA surrenderers who received assistance under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), 169 came from Agusan del Sur; Surigao del Norte, 24; Agusan del Norte, four; Butuan City, two.
Each former rebel received PHP15,000 in immediate assistance, PHP50,000 as livelihood aid, and PHP21,000 for their integration into their families and communities.
The surrenderers from Agusan del Sur also turned over 50 high-powered firearms and 13 short firearms which were remunerated through the E-CLIP, the amounts of which
Source: Philippines News Agency
