NCRPO aids 17 ex-rebels to rejoin society
SEVENTEEN former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) who have surrendered to the government are now getting the full support of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) in their effort to return to the mainstream of society and earn a livelihood for their families.
On Wednesday (Nov. 9), the 17 received their Joint AFP/PNP Intelligence Committee or JAPIC certificates, which will give them free passage into the country during the opening of a two-day “Tulong Pangkabuhayan” program for the rebel returnees held at the NCRPO Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB) headquarters in Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig City.
NCRPO Director Brigadier General Jonnel C. Estomo said the program was initiated by the NCRPO-RMFB headed by Col. Jonathan G. Calixto and the Department of Social Welfare and Development-NCR (DSWD-NCR) led by Monica Josefina Romualdez and regional program coordinator Esperanza Mangoba.
Estomo said the program aims to improve the socio-economic status of the rebel returnees and, at the same time, develop and enhance their technical skills for them to start a new life without violence.
He added that the JAPIC certificate is also a requirement for the availment of the government’s enhanced comprehensive livelihood program for former NPA rebels who have yielded to authorities.
NCRPO Deputy Regional Director for Administration, Brig. Gen. Jose S. Hidalgo Jr. said that the 17 pledged their commitment to the government last year and early this year.
So far, they have been the beneficiaries of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), a package of cash incentives meant to entice members of the rebel movement to surface, return under the clips of the law, and start a peaceful life anew, together with their respective families.
During the program, one of the 17 rebels, identified only as “Ka Danmer” shared his story and experiences as a former rebel as he revealed that he is “living proof” that the CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines)-NPA-NDF (National Democratic Front) is “recruiting and enlisting students to join the leftist organization through their legal fronts.”
“Hindi namin kayo itinuturing na kaaway, itinuturing namin kayo bilang mga kapatid namin at kapwa Pilipino na nalihis ng landas. Naging biktima kayo ng mga matatamis na salita dahil yun talaga ang armas nila, sweet talks,” said Hidalgo.
