Two former rebels will be welcoming 2024 with hope, joy, and some seed money to start their respective projects after they received remuneration for the firearms they surrendered as part of the DILG-administered package of assistance under the ECLIP program.
The awarding ceremony was held today, December 27, at the DILG Provincial Office and attended by ECLIP Committee members including DILG Provincial Director Myra Moral-Soriano, OIC PSWDO Fe Y. Manarang and Ms. Jill Quimosing, and Capt. Romel Jordan of the AFP 70th Infantry Battalion.
A total of Php 132,867 was awarded to the two former rebels who returned to the fold of the law in 2021 with assistance from the AFP and PNP.
An emotional Ka Jai (not her real name) recounted her difficult life as a former member of the New People’s Army (NPA) and expressed gratitude for the assistance of various agencies that helped facilitate her return to society.
“Malaki po ang pasasalamat namin sa Provincial Government ng Pampanga simula po sa pagsuko namin hanggang sa pagproseso ng mga benefits na inilaan ng gobyerno para sa amin ay natupad lahat. May mga pamilya na din po kami at sila ang prayoridad namin kaya din kami sumuko, hindi na yung pakikipaglaban kung kanino,” said Ka Jai.
She said that she has set aside the cash assistance she received from the government so that in the near future day, she can start the construction of their family house.
Meanwhile, PD Soriano applauded the two FRs for their courage to leave their former organization and encouraged them to share their story to their comrades so that they, too, will be inspired to return to the fold.
