He received the financial assistance Wednesday, June 15, at the 77th Infantry Battalion (IB) headquarters in Piggatan here.
Atty. Jimmy Baliga, CHR Region 2 director, personally awarded a check amounting to P10,000 to alias “Arcy” through the assistance of 77th IB.
"Ang tanggapan ng CHR ay patuloy na umaagapay para sa ating mga kababayan na nakaranas ng paglabag sa kanilang karapatang pantao. Ang pinansyal na ipinagkakaloob ng aming tanggapan ay isa lamang sa mga tulong na handa naming ipagkaloob lalo na sa mga kabataang biktima ng teroristang NPA (The CHR continues to help human rights victims. We provide financial help to young victims of the NPA)," Baliga said.
Arcy said he was only 16 when he was used as an armed courier of the NPA until he was forced to join the armed movement in 2017.
He said he was forced to join the terrorist group because his life was threatened. "Natatakot naman po akong hindi sumama sa kanila (CTG) noon. Tinatakot nila ako at ang pamilya ko. Kaya iniisip ko noon, para lang maligtas kami napilitan na po akong sumama (I was forced to join the NPA out of fear. They threatened me and my family. I joined the NPA to save my family)," said Arcy in tears as he narrated how he got involved in the terrorist group.
Arcy saw an opportunity and on March 17, 2021, he surrendered to the 77th IB.
"Nakakita ako ng pagkakataon noon na sumuko. Noong nakita ko iyong mga sundalo (ng 77th IB) hindi na po ako nagdalawang isip na humingi ng tulong sa kanila. Kaya malaki ang pasasalamat ko po talaga na tinulungan din nila ako (I saw an opportunity and never had second thoughts in surrendering to the 77th IB. Thank you to the 77th IB for helping me)," the former child warrior added.
"Nagpapasalamat din ako ngayon sa Commission on Human Rights dahil sa binigay nila na tulong. Gagamitin ko po itong pandagdag para sa panggastos at pangangailangan (I also thank the Commission on Human Rights for providing financial assistance. I will use the money for our expenses)."
Lt. Col. Panopio Magtangol, 77th IB chief, encouraged remaining members of the NPA to surrender and avail of the benefits under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP). "It is not yet too late. Lay down your arms and we will help you be reintegrated."