Northern Samar map
TACLOBAN CITY — At least 34 former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) received financial assistance from the government last Friday (August 12).
Each of them received P5,000 through the assistance to individuals in crisis situations (AICS) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
The AICS, which is part of the DSWD’s protective services for individuals considered as poor, marginalized, and vulnerable or disadvantaged, complements with the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) under Executive Order 70 that provides immediate assistance to rebels who return to the folds of the law.
EO 70 is a “whole-of-nation” approach campaign of the national government introduced during the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte which aims to end the communist insurgency problem in the country.
Lieutenant Colonel Manuel Degay Jr., the commanding officer of the 43rd Infantry Battalion which is based in Lope de Vega town, also in Northern Samar, was hopeful that the programs being offered by the government will encourage other communist rebels to surrender.
“To our brothers and sisters who are still fighting a lost cause, this is the best time to go down from hiding and embrace a normal life with your families and loved ones aided by our array of government programs,” Degay said in a statement.
“It’s time to give back to your families and to the formerly affected communities in the countryside who were also victims of the hate campaign and other propaganda perpetrated by the (communist rebel groups),” he added.