Cash assistance released to 15 former rebels

By 19th Infantry Battalion, 8ID PA
August 24, 2012

BURAUEN, Leyte – Fifteen (15) former rebels who surrendered during last year’s focused military campaign against insurgents received the so called Basic Immediate Assistance (BIA) amounting to P10,000.00 in a ceremony held at Brgy. Roxas, Burauen, Leyte on Aug. 23, 2012.

Lt. Col. Joel Alejandro Nacnac, Commanding Officer of the 19th Infantry (Commando) Battalion disclosed that the BIA recipients were former members of Front Committee-Leyte (FCL), the infamous New Peoples Army group operating in the province of Leyte.

“These FR’s surrendered to 19th IB because they want to live in peace with their family. Indeed, they have made the right decision, because the Philippine Army and the Provincial Government of Leyte are sincere with the peace and development stance so that remnants of NPA rebels fully abandon the armed struggle”, Lt. Col. Nacnac said.

Each FR has its own story to tell. A certain Peter said that he and his comrades would keep on moving from place to place in the hinterlands of Leyte to evade government forces. Unfortunately, he and a comrade were arrested in a checkpoint operation of the Philippine Army. Likewise, a certain Jocelyn, former NPA courier experienced hardships in the underground movement that is why she decided to surrender to 19IB last year.

In behalf of the former rebels, Miguel Payod extended his gratitude to the Provincial Government of Leyte under the leadership of Gov. Carlos Jericho Petilla, to the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office spearheaded by the Mrs. Clotilde Malatbalat and to the Philippine Army who worked together for the reintegration of the FR’s into the mainstream of the society.

Last year, a total of P685,000.00 were released by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP) through the Provincial Government of Leyte as additional reintegration assistance to fourteen (14) former rebels who surrendered to the military from years 2007 to 2010.

In his message, Gov. Carlos Jericho Petilla who was ably represented by Hon. Carlo Loreto hoped that the basic assistance and livelihood programs in store for the FR’s can also be the foundation of their new lives.