CATARMAN, Northern Samar — Former rebels in this province are upbeat about starting a new life after years of armed struggle that they consider as wasted years.
The nine former rebels faced the members of the Regional Peace and Order Council during the body’s first quarter meeting at the Northern Samar provincial capitol on Tuesday.
The former rebels signed up as recipients of the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) and Local Social Integration Program (LSIP) of the province meant for rebel returnees.
Under the program, surrenderers receive livelihood and cash assistance.
They were given PHP15,000 immediate cash aid on top of the PHP50,000 livelihood assistance and varied amount depending on the type of firearms surrendered.
Prior to the release of assistance, they are trained on how to manage livelihood activities and manage finances.
Nido and his wife Sally (not their real names) were among the nine rebels presented during the council meeting. The couple has 10 children.
The father was a member of Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) in his hometown in Northern Samar when he received death threats from the New People’s Army (NPA).
He recalled that decades back, the NPA came to their house and offered him only two choices — to die or leave his hometown. He chose the latter and his family settled in Manila for a year.
With very unstable income to sustain their daily needs, they went back to his hometown in Northern Samar. His childhood friend convinced him and his wife to join the organization.
Out of fear, he agreed to join the organization tasked to help communist rebels raise revolutionary taxes while his wife prepares food for the armed rebels.
“They don’t have regular schedule to visit us. When they did, I am obliged to cook and feed them. Many time, I even borrowed money to buy food for them,” Sally said.
After several years of being a member of the NPA, the couple decided to turn themselves in and avail of the government’s CLIP and LSIP.
“This is a very good decision that we made because unlike the NPA who gave use false hope and promises, the government is sincere to help us. They are giving us chances to change our life and start a new life by providing us means to run a livelihood,” Sally said.
Boy (not his real name), 34, was convinced by the NPA to join the organization after they promised to send him to school, but he ended up doing errands for the group.
For staying six months in NPA camps, Boy said joined clashes against government forces.
“I was afraid when I was still with them,” Boy shared. “I made the decision to leave the group because I know my life was in danger.”
He is optimistic to go back to school as a Grade 4 student now that he’s back to normal life away from rebellion.
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Northern Samar provincial director Valente Bajet said that those who availed of CLIP and LSIP are guaranteed safety by the military and the Philippine National Police.
Since the provincial government implemented LSIP, Bajet said they had already processed the assistance for three batches of rebel surrenderers.
RPOC held a meeting in Northern Samar to showcase the good practices of the province in dealing with insurgency problem by implementing the LSIP, according to DILG Regional Director Maribel Sacerdoncillo.
The body will hold its second quarter meeting in Leyte province. (PNA)
