Fifty former members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) have surrendered to the government, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said Monday, Nov. 21.
DILG Secretary Benjamin “Benhur’ Abalos Jr. said that all those who surrendered, whom he referred to as former violent extremists (FVEs), are eligible to receive government support under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) initiative.
He noted that the DILG field office in Sultan Kudarat is in continuous coordination with the local government unit (LGU) to ensure that the FVEs will be granted due support as they join the mainstream society.
By returning to the folds of the law to become productive citizens of the society, Abalos said they can take advantage of E-CLIP’s assistance that covers livelihood, education, housing, medical assistance; receive monetary remuneration for each firearm surrendered; and other social services crucial to their reintegration into society.
“Pinasasalamatan natin ang ating mga FVE na nagdesisyon na iwanan ang kanilang buhay na puno ng karahasan at bumalik sa kanilang mga pamilya upang maging produktibong bahagi ng lipunan. Kasama n’yo po kami sa landas na ito (We thank our FVE who decided to leave their lives full of violence and return to their families to become productive members of the society. We are one with you in this endeavor),’’ he added.
Under the E-CLIP initiative, Abalos stated that 611 former rebels and their families received a total of P45.79-million in financial and livelihood assistance since July 2022.
DILG Region 12 reports disclosed that 47 of those who surrendered received a collective amount of P540,000 wherein 15 received P20,000 each; 16 FVEs with P10,000 each; and, 16 received P5,000 each from the Provincial Government of Sultan Kudarat under the "Kakep Ka Su Kalilintad" or "Embracing the Peace" campaign.
The three others were not able to attend the event.
“We thank the Sultan Kudarat provincial government for extending their assistance to our FVEs. Kasunod naman nito ay ang tulong mula sa pamahalaan sa pamamagitan ng E-CLIP (The assistance from the E-CLIP from the national government will follow),’’ Abalos assured.
Likewise, the Sultan Kudaray provincial government handed out 47 food packs, which included rice, assorted canned goods and instant noodles packs.
Abalos said all the necessary steps for the inclusion of FVEs as recipients of E-CLIP are now being undertaken.
“Tinatrabaho na po natin ito katuwang ang LGU (We are working on this with the LGU)’’, he noted.
Abalos pointed out that “close monitoring of the FVEs shall be conducted to ensure proper utilization of government livelihood and financial assistance.’’