101 ex-NPA rebels who surrendered to military in Masbate get P1.9-M aid

LEGAZPI CITY — Some 101 New People’s Army (NPA) rebels who surrendered from Masbate received P1.9 million worth of cash and livelihood assistance, an Philippine Army official said on Friday.

Maj. Ricky Aquilar, 9th Infantry Division public affairs office chief, said the rebel returnees received their benefits at a military-sponsored Peace Caravan on Wednesday at the Cawayan Sports Gymnasium in Cawayan town.

Aguilar said the rebel returnees were former NPA regulars and mass-base supporters operating in various towns in Masbate province.

He said the rebel surrenderers, after undergoing evaluation and processing, received from the Department of Interior and Local Government the P15,000 cash assistance each.

Four former rebels were given P50,000 each as livelihood assistance while one received P78,000 for surrendering a firearm.

The Peace Caravan was also highlighted by a signing of a resolution declaring the NPA and its allied fronts “persona-non-grata” (unwelcomed)./lzb