60 former rebels, sympathizers receive gov’t financial aid
Map of Borongan, Eastern Samar
TACLOBAN CITY – At least 60 former rebels and sympathizers who surrendered to the government were provided financial assistance by the city government of Borongan in Eastern Samar on Tuesday (August 23).
Out of the beneficiaries, 15 received P50,000 each for being regular members of the New People’s Army (NPA).
The 45 others received P15,000 as they were sympathizers of the communist group.
One of those who received the P50,000 financial assistance was alias “Isay,” 22, who joined the communist armed group as a Red fighter when she was just 17 years old.
According to her, she decided to abandon the armed group due to the difficulties in living in the mountains and the relentless campaign of the government to end the insurgency problem, and to avail of the programs the government offers for those who surrender.
Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda said he hoped that the former rebels would make good use of the assistance given to them to live a normal life.
He also urged them to avail of the “Dukwag Agrikultura,” a program of the city government which aims to bolster the agriculture sector of the city.
He also vowed to construct roads to interior villages in the city not only to dissuade them from joining the rebel movement but for easy access of their farm produce, among others.
Lt. Col. Allan Tria, the commanding officer of the 78th Infantry Battalion which is based in the city, said that the program of the city government providing assistance to rebels who left the communist group is an indication that the government cares for them.
“This shows that the government will not abandon you. I hope you will spend the assistance provided to you wisely for your own good,” he said.
Col. Carmelito Pangatungan, the deputy commander of the 801st Infantry Brigade based in Hinabangan, Samar, shared the same sentiments.
“We are thankful to Mayor Agda because he is focusing on maintaining the peace and order here in Borongan City, and ending the communist armed conflict. So I hope you will also cooperate so the insurgency problem will come to its end once and for all,” he said.
