TABUK CITY, Kalinga (PIA) — A former rebel from Kalinga received P2,311,299.46 in assistance under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) at the Provincial Capitol on Oct. 7, 2024.
The assistance package included immediate financial aid, educational support for the former rebel’s dependents, house and lot assistance, and livelihood aid, according to the Provincial Social Welfare Development Office (PSWDO).
The former rebel, “Ka Lipat”, surrendered to the Philippine Army in 2023 after decades with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).
He turned over several firearms qualifying him for government remuneration to support his reintegration into mainstream society.
The ECLIP awarding was led by Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Cordillera Assistant Regional Director Maribbay Jr., Gov. James S. Edduba, to 503rd Infantry Brigade Commander BGen. Romualdo Raymund Landingin, PSWDO head Rosemarites Oyawon, Kalinga Provincial Police Office chief Gilbert Fati-ig, and other ECLIP cluster members.
The ECLIP shows the government’s sincerity in helping rebels who want to leave the CPP-NPA-NDF and return to the fold of the law, Maribbay said.
“Sana, this will be a good example sa mga gustong mag-surrender. Eto ‘yung mas lalong makapag-encourage sa kanila na ituloy ’yung kanilang balak na bumalik-loob sa ating gobyerno,” he added.
Further, the ECLIP program belies the communist terrorist group’s fearmongering about the Army and the government, according to Landingin.
“Sa loob ng armado, sinasabi nila na huwag kayo susuko, sasaktan kayo, [there is] fear of reprisal from our government troops. We would like to belie these allegations. Sa amin, sa atin sa gobyerno, if our brothers intend to lay down their firearms we are here to assist them,” Landingin said.
“Ka Lipat” said he was part of the CPP- NPA for 35 years and served as a platoon leader. He shared that their geographical isolation and the lack of attention from the government made them susceptible to NPA recruitment in the past, but times have since changed and government services have greatly improved, making him optimistic that his remaining comrades will soon join him in turning over a new leaf.
“Dagiti padak nga NPA dituy Kalinga ket limmalakay dan. Parehas ku met isuda nga limakay, isu nga nga nagdakkel ti tyansa nga maawis isuda nga bumaba. Dakkel ti namnamak nga maawis tayo isuda,” he said.
[My NPA comrades in Kalinga have grown old. Like me who is already old, there is a big chance to entice them to come down, I have great hope that we can convince them.]
The former rebel is very grateful for the ECLIP program for helping him rebuild his life.
“Salamat launay ta naited yu met amin,” he said.
The ECLIP awarding was led by Maribbay Jr., Gov. James S. Edduba, BGen.Landingin, PSWDO head Rosemarites Oyawon, Kalinga Provincial Police Office chief Gilbert Fati-ig, and other ECLIP cluster members. (JDP/IOS-PIA CAR, Kalinga)
