The Armed Forces of the Philippines distributed benefits to the 125 former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels from Northern Luzon during its two-day peace summit in Camp Aquino, Tarlac earlier this week.
The peace summit, which as conducted through the joint efforts of the Philippine Army’s 7th and 5th Infantry Division and other key government agencies, was conducted to facilitate the distribution of benefits to the rebel returnees.
The benefits were distributed under the Enhanced Comprehensive Localized Integration Program (E-CLIP).
The E-CLIP program extends reintegration assistance, firearm remuneration livelihood assistance, housing, conditional transitional grant, livelihood materials and implements or employment assistance, access to government service, loan and market access, medical assistance, alternative learning system, psychosocial assistance, college tuition and stipend, and legal assistance.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año, both represented President Duterte during the ceremonial acceptance of the consolidated firearms from the rebel returnees.
During the summit, two of the rebel returnees, “Ka-Angel” and “Ka-Cris,” recalled the struggles they experienced as NPA rebels, as well as the life-changing benefits they received after their surrender.
“NOLCOM will continue to work together with different government agencies and stakeholders to pursue its mission of bringing peace to the nation and strive to spark the consciousness of more NPA rebels to turn in to the government and to become productive citizens of the nation,” Lt. Gen. Salamat said.