Former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels who previously surrendered to elements of the Philippine Army 62nd Infantry Battalion (62IB) and 3rd Civil Military Operations Battalion are set to receive assistance from the Negros Occidental Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

DILG-Negros Occidental head, Engr. Carmelo Orbista, recently turned over P231,000 worth of reintegration assistance to Philippine Army 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, Colonel Benedict Arevalo; 62IB commander, Lt. Colonel Egberto Dacoscos; and acting 3rd Civil Military Operation Battalion commander, Major Udgie Villan.

The total 11 surrenders insurgents will each receive P21,000 in assistance.

“Reintegration Assistance” is a component benefit of the Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) instituted by President Rodrigo Duterte, which is specifically geared towards surrendered enemy combatants. The financial support is intended to cover meals and expenses associated with reintegration, including securing a birth certificate, identification card, among other essentials.

Eligible recipients also receive P15,000 in immediate assistance, P50,000 in livelihood assistance, and between P12,000 to P500,000 for surrendering firearms. They are also enrolled in halfway house assistance, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, along with incentives for education, housing, legal assistance, healing, and reconciliation.

Last month, former NPA committee member Evelyn Bustamante spoke during the Barangay Summit on Good Governance and presented her experiences, exposing the direct connection between the Communist Party of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front as a source of manpower, financial, and logistical support for the NPA.

She urged barangay officials not to support any leftist party-list groups, pointing out, “They, too, are directly or indirectly giving support to the NPA’s armed struggle.”/DGB, WDJ