FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija — Nine members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) surrendered to the Philippine Army’s 7th Infantry Division (7ID) Tuesday.
Major General Felimon T. Santos Jr. , 7ID commander, received the surrenderers who were members of Militiang Bayan, Bayan Muna and the Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs) in a simple ceremony held here.
Santos said the nine returnees will first receive livelihood assistance from 7ID while their benefits from the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) are being processed.
“They will be initially given a pair of sheep from the Army division as part of their start-up,” he said.
The 7th Civil-Military Operations Battalion and 84th Infantry Battalion were responsible for the surrender of the rebels.
A total of 12 firearms were returned by the surrenderers. These were: one shotgun; two US Springfield M1903 caliber .30 bolt action rifles; two caliber .38 Smith and Wesson revolvers; three improvised 12-gauge shotguns; one improvised 20-gauge shotgun; two caliber .22 converted Armscor Air Rifles; and one improvised Springfield 5.56mm. All firearms are loaded with ammunition.
The rebel returnees expressed their longing to live a normal life with their family, which is the main reason for laying down their arms.
Likewise, the insurgents said that they were persuaded by the benefits and privileges that they will get from ECLIP once they surrender to the government.
Under ECLIP, each former rebel will receive a total amount of PHP65,000, of which, PHP15,000 is immediate financial assistance while PHP50,000 will be given as livelihood aid.
The surrenderers will also receive additional financial assistance in exchange for the firearms they surrendered depending on the valuation of weapons. The amount ranges from PHP2,000 to PHP2 million.
Santos assured the surrenderers that the 7ID will keep them safe with their families.
He also said that the distribution of the start-up livelihood assistance is a form of the division’s appreciation for the trust and confidence of the surrenderers.
He gave an instruction to the battalion to assist the surrendered rebels in completing their ECLIP application requirements. ( Marilyn Galang/PNA)