A total of 100 Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members and supporters surrendered in Sulu on Saturday, July 30, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said.
DILG Secretary Benjamin ‘Benhur’ Abalos Jr. led the formal surrender and acceptance of the former violent extremists (FVEs) in a ceremony held on Saturday in Patikul town.
"Today is truly a historic day. Itong araw na ito ang simula ng inyong bagong buhay, kayo ay may pagkakataon na muling maging produktibong kabahagi ng bansa (This day will be the start of your new life, you have the chance to be productive members of the society again),’’ Abalos said.
During the ceremony, Abalos thanked the former rebels for laying down their arms and trusting the government’s assurance for giving them the opportunity to be productive members of the community.
Those who surrendered are from the towns of Indanan, Omar, Maimbong, Panamao, Talipao and Patikul in Sulu province. They also yielded 22 firearms.
With their surrender, Abalos said the FVEs will be enrolled in the government's Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) to receive financial and livelihood assistance.
Under the E-CLIP grant, qualified beneficiaries are entitled to guaranteed safety and security; cash assistance like P50,000 livelihood assistance; P15,000 for mobilization expenses and firearms remuneration amounting to the value of turned-in firearms.
E-CLIP is a flagship program of the previous administration that aims to help members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF), and Militia ng Bayan (MB) to restore allegiance to the Philippine government.
It was expanded in 2020 to include FVEs in its beneficiaries.
A chance at a fresh start
"Sattar", 41, one of the surrenderees who has been an ASG combatant for over 10 years, bared during the ceremony that they were forced to take up arms due to their circumstances in life, particularly the lack of opportunities.
"We were forced to fight the government because of our situation in life. But now, the government is showing sincerity in helping us so we want to return and start over again," he said in the vernacular.
Abalos echoed this, saying that the government, through programs such as the E-CLIP is aiming to address the roots of the country's problem on terrorism.
"We will make sure, na uunlad ang agrikultura at turismo ng Sulu (agriculture and tourism will progress in Sulu). We will make sure that our children will live in a good, better, and brighter future," Abalos assured.
The FVEs also received food packs from the Bangsamoro government's Ministry of Social Services and Development, and cash assistance worth P222,000 from the private stakeholders. (Chito A. Chavez)