Five former rebels have recently received big cash benefits in exchange of the firearms they have surrendered to the government.
The five checks amounting to a total of P623,000.00 from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) were personally handed over by Governor Nelson L. Dayanghirang in a simple ceremony held at the Governor’s Office at the Provincial Capitol.
The distribution of cash incentives was implemented under the Firearms Remuneration Program which is part of the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) for former rebels.
The formers rebels, who received their checks, were among those who surfaced and surrendered to the government in 2018 and 2019 and surrendered low to high-caliber weapons such as pistol, revolvers and different types of rifles. These firearms were used to terrorize communities and fight against government troops during conflicts.
Out of the many benefits that rebel returnees will receive under the E-CLIP, the Firearms Remuneration Program aims to encourage members of the NPA to surrender along with their firearms in exchange of cash incentives.
Cash incentives that they will receive will depend on the type of firearms surrendered.
“The more firearms they surrender, the higher the compensation they will get,” said Police Colonel Marcial Mariano M. Magistrado IV, Davao Oriental Police Provincial Office (DOPPO) Provincial Director who serves as the responsible unit for the custody of the surrendered firearms and takes charge of the process which involves collection, documentation, validation, disposition and demilitarization of these.
Before depositing these firearms to the custody of the Philippine National Police, the remuneration program undergoes a process to be facilitated by the Joint AFP-PNP Intelligence Committee (JAPIC), a special body which validates whether the surrenderers are authentic members of the NPA or Militia ng Bayan while also verifying the weapons being turned in.
One beneficiary named Jeck who have received a total of Php 306,000.00 said that he never expected to receive that big amount. “I just wanted to help the government in weakening the NPA by taking away all their hidden firearms I know and give it back to the soldiers. I am so thankful for the ECLIP, especially to the staff of Happy Home for empowering us and facilitating all our documents to avail of many benefits from the government,” he said in vernacular.
Other beneficiaries are Junmart who have received P138,000, Warren with P86,000, Henry with P60,000, and Reymond with P33,000.
Gov. Dayanghirang encouraged the former rebels to always take part in the government agenda by becoming the multiplier of better efforts for the long-lasting peace and sustainable development especially in the hinterlands.
“I am very thankful that you have returned to the folds of the government. I am hoping for your full support and trust to our government because through our concerted efforts, we will attain long-lasting peace and sustainable development in our province,” Gov. Dayanghirang told the former rebels.
“As you just received all the benefits of a former rebel, you will now serve as a living testament of the government’s sincerity to its mission. I want to see all people in the province progress, but we all know that it is impossible if we are threatened by insurgency and while our safety is at risk. That’s why I call for unity and cooperation, that if we will help each other, we will all prosper together,” Gov. Dayanghirang added.
According to Brigadier General Manuel V. Sequitin AFP, Commander of the 701st Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army, more firearms are being recovered as to its ratio with the NPA rebels indicating the weakening of NPA recruitment for new members.
“I hope that with the firearms remuneration and other government programs for peace and development, more rebels will be enticed to yield to the government and take advantage of the many benefits waiting for them upon their surrender,” Gen. Sequitin said on a statement.
Present during the distribution of checks were 701st Infantry Brigade Deputy Commander Col. Oliver Maquiling, DOPPO Provincial Director Pol. Col. Marical Mariano Magistrado, DILG Provincial Director Orle Cabaobao, and Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office Head Sarah Gudes, and the Happy Home management and staff. By Van Jorain O. Rufin/Photos by Rhea Shane Laureano