141 former rebels in Agusan Sur receive reintegration assistance from gov’t
PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur -- A total of 141 former New People’s Army (NPA) members turned-over their firearms and received immediate financial assistance from the government during the awarding ceremony of the Enhanced - Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) as spearheaded by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on December 21, 2023, at the Datu Lipus Makapandong Cultural Center, Patin-ay, Prosperidad, this province.
Present during the E-CLIP awarding were Santiago B. Cane Jr., provincial governor; Regional Director Maria Loisella E. Lucino of DILG - Caraga; Donald A. Seronay, assistant regional director of DILG - Caraga; Arleen Ann R. Sanchez, provincial director of DILG - Agusan del Sur; Police Colonel Eleazar P. Matta, deputy regional director for administration (DRDA) of Police Regional Office-13; Police Colonel Jovito C. Canlapan, provincial director of Agusan del Sur Police Provincial Office (ADSPPO); and the brigade commanders from the 401st Infantry Brigade (IB), 403rd IB, 1001st IB, 901st IB and 402nd IB, all of the Philippine Army.
Col. Canlapan expressed his optimism that more former rebels will be rescued and will receive various benefits from the concerned government agencies.
“May this program inspire other rebel members that are still lurking in the province to abandon their radical way of living and reintegrate back to the mainstream society and start over a new, peaceful, and productive life. I also hope that this program reminds everyone that the government is not your enemy but your ally," Canlapan said.
This activity is in line with the community perspective of the PNP P.A.T.R.O.L. Plan 2030 in developing a safer place to live, work, and do business in the province. (ADSPPO/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
