TACLOBAN CITY– The provincial government of Samar extended assistance to 33 former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) under its local social integration program (LSIP) on Monday (Nov.13).
Governor Sharee Ann Tan, in her message, said LSIP was crafted mainly due to rebel members who chose to return to the folds of the law.
“We have crafted these programs for your benefit as you have a special place in our hearts. In return, you have to work hard as your fate also relies on how you take care of the responsibilities given to you,” the governor said.
Major General Camilo Ligayo, the commanding general of the 8th Infantry Division, on the other hand, emphasized that the cooperation of everyone would lead to the success of the anti-insurgency programs of the government.
The LSIP is a program formulated when Gov. Tan was still a congresswoman while her brother, Rep. Reynolds Michael Tan, was the sitting governor of the province.
The package, worth P2.93 million, was received 23 former NPA regular members, six former militia ng bayan members, and three former mass supporters.
The military forces from the 63rd Infantry Battalion (IB), 46IB, 87IB, and 78IB, all under the 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, and the police officers from the 2nd Police Mobile Force Company, under Samar Police Provincial Office, facilitated the surrender and the papers of the former rebels.
In the same activity, the Department of Social Welfare and Development Office also provided livelihood settlement grants (LSG) in the amount of P20,000 to 41 former rebels.
The LSG assistance is provided to each former rebel for the establishment or support for the continuity of their livelihood.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
