BACOLOD CITY – Thirty-eight former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) from Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental received P270,000 financial and educational assistance on Valentine’s Day.

MAYOR Raymund Tongson Jr. (center) leads the distribution of financial and educational aid to 38 former communist rebels in a ceremony held at the City Hall of Himamaylan in Negros Occidental on Wednesday, February 14, in the presence of the police and Army and the City Social Welfare and Development Office. (3rd ID)
Mayor Raymund Tongson Jr. led the distribution of aid from the Army 94th Infantry Battalion (IB), Philippine Air Force (PAF), and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in a ceremony held at the city hall.
Twenty-seven rebel returnees received P10,000 each and 11 were recipients of educational support from the City Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (CTF-ELCAC) and the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO).
The cash aid was part of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through the city government of Himamaylan, which aims to provide immediate support to families affected by the local armed conflict.
Recipients also received hygiene, family, and sleeping and kitchen kits.
Also present during the turnover were members of the city council, Executive Assistant Wendell John Vallejera, Social Welfare and Development Officer Ever Grace Castro, Col. Victor Llapitan, deputy brigade commander of 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde), Lt. Col. Van Donald Almonte, 94th IB commander, and Police Lt. Col. Anthony Grande, Himamaylan police chief.
These key personalities played a vital role in facilitating the fast delivery and distribution of needed assistance to the beneficiaries, the 3rd Infantry Division said.
Major Gen. Marion Sison, 3rd ID commander, encouraged all stakeholders to continue strengthening their commitment and support as he assured them that the 3rd ID will steadfastly remain a strong partner in the journey towards declaring Negros in a state of stable internal peace and security.
Sison said that they anticipate more members of the NPA to embrace peace and positive transformations, especially as they experience the beneficial outcome of their shared vision to liberate Negros Island from the bondage of insurgency.