Eleven former New People's Army (NPA) rebels have received P86,000 each – for a total of P946,000 – from the Task Force "Balik-Loob" after they surrendered to the authorities, the military said Wednesday.
Defense Undersecretary Reynaldo Mapagu presided over the turnover ceremony of the checks to the rebel-returnees in Tanay, Rizal Tuesday.
The cash aid distribution was part of the government's Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) which seeks to assist surrendered insurgents by giving them complete package assistance.
Mapagu said the former rebels could use the cash assistance to buy their daily needs amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The government’s sincerity and commitment to deliver your E-CLIP benefits will never falter, even in the advent of this deadly COVID-19 pandemic," he said.
Mapagu told the former rebels that their reintegration to the mainstream society will be monitored by the government to ensure their safety as well as their families.
Major Gen. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr., commander of the 2nd Infantry Division, said 604 former rebels have surrendered in his area of responsibility since the E-CLIP was launched in August 2018.
Of the surrenderees, 144 yielded in 2020.
One-hundred nine came from Region 4-A or the Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon area while 35 were from Mindoro provinces in Region 4-B or the Mindoro Oriental and Occidental, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan area.
Under E-CLIP, qualified former rebels can avail up to P700,000 worth of government grants which they can use to start over after turning their backs from the underground movement.