MALAYBALAY CITY (PIA) — “We urge those active NPA members to act quickly. The amnesty will not last forever. In March 2026, this rare chance will be gone. We want them to know they are not alone. The government is ready to support their transition back into society,” Brig. Gen. Michele B. Anayron Jr., commander of the 403rd Infantry Brigade, announced during the Bukidnon Interaction, January 12 episode, aired over 15 KBP-accredited radio stations across the province.
The government unveiled its 2025 peace and development roadmap, which includes a program to reintegrate the former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels into mainstream society by offering financial aid, livelihood support, and skills training.
Urging those NPA rebels still operating in the hinterlands to surrender before the amnesty program ends in March next year, Anayron said the plan attributes the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) as a pillar for reintegration and peacebuilding efforts.
He reiterated the weight of acting now to secure a peaceful and productive life, as the amnesty window provides a scarce chance for rebels to reintegrate without fear of prosecution.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We are here to help rebuild lives, not to destroy them. By yielding and taking advantage of this program, they [NPA] can leave conflict behind and move toward a brighter, more stable future for themselves and their families,” said Anayron.
E-CLIP offers surrenderees P15,000 in emergency financial aid, P50,000 in livelihood grants, and access to 250 housing units in Malaybalay and Cagayan de Oro City. However, Anayron pointed out that some housing units remain unoccupied, prompting a review to ensure more former rebels can benefit.
The program operates under Executive Order No. 70, which institutionalized the whole-of-nation approach to attain inclusive and sustainable peace. The directive established the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), fostering collaboration across government agencies.
“The results in Bukidnon have been particularly encouraging, with the 403rd Infantry Brigade achieving a 95 percent satisfaction rate with its operations,“ Anayron also announced on air.
Vocational training programs, like the school in Patpat, Malaybalay City, are key to equipping surrenderers—also known as Friends Rescued (FRs)—with essential skills to rebuild their lives. The school collaborates with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), providing training and job opportunities.
Anayron emphasized that the government stands firm in offering a fresh start to those who lay down their arms. He also reiterated the Philippine Army’s role in promoting peace.
“We act only against threats to peace. Our aim is reconciliation, not conflict. Only 14 months are left for surrenderers to claim amnesty and its accompanying benefits, and the clock is ticking. The choice is simple: continue a life of uncertainty or step into a future of peace and opportunity. The time to act is now,” the 403rd brigade commander said. (JMC/PIA 10/Bukidnon)
