PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan – Seven New People’s Army (NPA) rebel returnees recently received livelihood assistance packages from the city government under the local social integration program.
Composed of six males and a female, each personally accepted cash assistance amounting to PHP65,000 from Western Command (WESCOM) commander, Lieutenant General Rozzano Briguez, and Puerto Princesa Mayor Lucilo Bayron on January 5, said Sunday by City Information Office (CIO) chief Richard Ligad.
“Our mayor told them to forget the past and restart building their lives. What is important is that they have returned allegiance to the government,” he said.
Bayron assured them that the city government will send a medical team in their area to check on their health including their families.
“Inaasahan na sa pagbabalik loob ng mga ito ay mahihikayat pa ang ilan nilang mga kasamahan na muling magtiwala at maging kaagapay ng gobyerno sa pananatili ng kaayusan at katahimikan sa lugar (The city government expects that in their return they will encourage many of their comrades to come down and renew their trust in the government for peace and order here),” Ligad added.
On December 21, around 10 rebel returnees were also given livelihood assistance packages from Governor Jose Alvarez. (PNA)
