The surrender of 26 former rebels, way back from 2009 to March this year, to avail of the government’s Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) has immensely helped these rebels, aside from previous years, return to normal life. We could only imagine the hardships they had undergone while inside the movement. It is never easy to be an armed guerrilla where their lives depend on survival in whichever way even to the point of forcing even poor people and farmers to give them support. Many of them have been estranged from their families for so long a time.
The P65,000 each rebel receives will go a long way as they start a new life. In a recent turnover of firearms by rebels in Malaybalay, Bukidnon, these rebels happily anticipate livelihood opportunities for them to have a taste of peace and comfort and a whole family life. DILG Sec. Mar Roxas also promised that aside from the CLIP, he would find other ways to help former rebels to find more sustainable sources of income.
We see that the government remains steadfast to address the insurgency problem through good governance and reforms. And despite stalled peace talks with the National Democratic Front, our present government shows its strong commitment to pursue peace and development for all. – Eville Peña Romasanta, Vallepena Subd., Sorsogon, Sorsogon