By PA 2ID PDAO August 28, 2020 Seven former rebels, including two child warriors who recently surrendered to government forces undergo...
August 28, 2020
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| Seven former rebels, including two child warriors who recently surrendered to government forces undergo a two-day Psychosocial Rehabilitation Program facilitated by a social worker from the Department of Social Welfare and Development Region 4A held in Rizal Province recently. (Photo: PA 2ID DPAO) |
CAMP CAPINPIN, Tanay, Rizal – Seven former rebels, including two child warriors that recently surrendered to government forces, successfully completed on Friday the two-day Psychosocial Rehabilitation Program held in Rizal Province.
Lt Col Rimrad Feraer, Commanding Officer of the 80th Infantry Battalion who spearheaded the event, said the former rebels belong to the Dumagat Remontado tribe in the Sierra Madre.
He added the undertaking was “a result of our consultation with the IP tribal leaders who pointed out that most of the Dumagat former rebels are suffering from psychological trauma resulting from being forced, coerced and threatened at gun point by the NPA terrorists to support the underground movement.”
In his report, Lt Col Feraer said the highlight of the program was the psychosocial debriefing facilitated by a qualified and competent social worker from the Department of Social and Welfare Development Region 4A Field Office.
Brigadier General Alex Rillera, Commander of the 202nd Infantry Brigade which has operational jurisdiction over the area, said “the government is aware and sensitive to the fact that beyond the financial grants under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program, it is imperative that we extend professional help to our former rebels, particularly the minors, so they may be able to once again lead normal lives.”
According to the military, the endeavour which is in line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s call for a whole of nation approach in solving insurgency, is the first in Southern Tagalog and a product of collaboration and cooperation between the AFP, DILG, DSWD, TESDA and NCIP and support from the private sector particularly from the DV Boer International Farm Inc.
BGen Rillera ended his statement by reaffirming his commitment to his previous proclamation that his “soldiers will do everything within our means to protect our indigenous people’s innocence and peaceful nature from being exploited by the NPA terrorists whose desperation for relevance has turned them into a mere ragtag band of miscreants who have no place in Philippine society.”
Major General Arnulfo Marcelo B Burgos Jr, Commander of the Philippine Army’s 2nd Infantry Division covering Southern Tagalog, took cognizance of Regional Task Force ELCAC 4A’s innovation and going the extra mile to help the former rebels who decided to turn their backs from armed struggle.
“This significant activity is a manifestation of the Filipino people’s genuine yearning for peace and collective desire to help our fellow men who went astray or fell victim to deception and exploitation of the NPA terrorists”, added Maj Gen Burgos.
He once again condemned “the NPA’s rampant violation of internationally recognised conventions particularly those calling for the respect of the Indigenous People’s rights and those prohibiting the recruitment of minors” describing these as “deplorable acts within the terrorist organization which no word can ever justify."
The military said four out of the seven former rebels have already received Php65,000.00 representing the immediate and livelihood cash assistance under E-CLIP. The enrolment of the three other FRs to the program are currently on process and their benefits are expected to be released anytime next month.
To date, the 2ID has recorded a total of 132 Dumagats who were liberated from the clutches of NPA terrorism since January 2020. (PIA-4A/PA 2ID PDAO)
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