Over 10,000 ex-rebels have received livelihood aid since 2016
This file photo, taken on April 5, 2022, shows some of the former rebels in Albay who surrendered to the military. (File photo by MICHAEL JAUCIAN / Inquirer Southern Luzon)
MANILA, Philippines — Over 10,000 former rebels have received livelihood assistance from the government since 2016 when the amnesty program began, the Department of National Defense said in a statement on Monday.
This was reported during the first quarter meeting of the Task Force Balik-Loob headed by Defense Undersecretary Angelito de Leon.
Of the 37,413 “former rebels” and “former violent extremists,” 10,637 have been presented with immediate, livelihood, reintegration benefits, as well as firearms remuneration through the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program or (E-clip).
The immediate assistance granted to the former rebels amounted to P147.33 million. And the total amount of livelihood assistance provided by the task force’s partner agencies reached P322.85 million.
The E-clip aims to urge communist rebels to restore their allegiance to the Philippine government.
— ALIAH GUMASING (TRAINEE)
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