Former NPA fighters in Abra receive P564,000 in government aid
BANGUED, Abra – Six former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels from this province received aid from the national government through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) of the End the Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC).
Lt. Col. Michael Bautista, commander of the Army 71st Infantry Battalion, said a total amount of P564,020 was given to them in a simple awarding ceremony at the Abra Provincial Capitol here.
The event was witnessed by the Provincial Task Force on ELCAC, the Provincial Peace and Order Council, the Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council, the Provincial Development Council, and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council.
The assistance given to the former communist guerrillas was based on the number of firearms they surrendered to the government.
According to “Ka Jay-R,” a former Milisyang Bayan who was one of the recipients, he will use the money he received as capital for his family business.
Bautista urged remaining NPA rebels operating in Abra to surrender to the government with their firearms to avail themselves of an opportunity to live peacefully with a sustainable income.