Go to rebels: Magbagong buhay, magbalik-loob sa govt
SEN. Christopher “Bong” Go emphasized the Philippine government’s task of helping former rebels reintegrate into society with the support they need to provide for their families.
“Masarap ang buhay dito sa bayan at ang hirap po sa bundok. Magbagong buhay kayo, balik-loob kayo sa gobyerno,” said Go in an ambush interview last Nov. 30, during the groundbreaking of the Super Health Center in Malabon City.
“Ako ay nasasaktan tuwing may mga rebeldeng namamatay at lalo na po kapag sundalo ang namamatay. Dahil para sa akin, Pilipino rin po ang mga ‘yan at may mga pamilya pong naiiwan ‘yan. Importante ang kapayapan,” he stressed.
Go reiterated his call for rebels to surrender and avail themselves of government reintegration programs. “Bumaba na lang po kayo at magbalik-loob kayo sa gobyerno. Mas maganda dito sa bayan kaysa diyan sa bundok.”
Previously, Go expressed his support for President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s decision to grant amnesty to former rebels and insurgents.
Go emphasized the root causes of rebellion, citing poverty and lack of government services as key factors.
With this, he continues to push for improved housing, education, health, agriculture and livelihood programs to encourage rebels to reintegrate and live peacefully instead of taking arms against the government.
Go elaborated on the significance of the Balik-Loob Program under the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), which aims to reintegrate former rebels into mainstream society by offering various forms of assistance and legal protections.
The Balik-Loob Program, officially known as the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), is a key initiative of the Philippine government.
A good feature of the Balik-Loob Program is the Balik-Loob Lending Program, a loan facility provided by LandBank.
This lending program is one of the benefits of E-CLIP which aims at helping former rebels establish or expand businesses, thereby facilitating their successful reintegration into civilian life.
Meanwhile, Go denounced the reported continuing recruitment of students into the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), and the National Democratic Front (NDF).
