Five former communist rebels received a total of P384,000 compensation in Abra for surrendering four high-powered and a handgun under the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP).
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin ‘Benhur’ Abalos led the distribution of cash remuneration to five former rebels wherein he highlighted the importance of reintegration process for the former rebels to come back into the mainstream society.
The cash assistance depends on the type of firearms surrendered and if the weapons are still 'serviceable.'
During the ceremony, Abalos emphasized ‘the need to protect our children from violence as he narrates an instance where he interfaced with former child rebels.’
‘Parang mga anak natin na instead na nasa school at nakikipag-kaibigan (They are like out children that instead being in school making friends), they are living their lives full of violence,’’Abalos said.
He further encouraged the local chief executives (LCEs) to continue leading the fight against insurgency towards protecting not only the children but the ‘Cordillera (Administrative Region) communities.’
Abalos also assured that the national government, through the DILG and its attached agencies, will continue realizing the government’s ‘holistic and whole-of-the-nation approach’ in resolving communist insurgency.