DAVAO ORIENTAL- In exchange of the firearms they have turned over to the government upon their surrender, six former rebels have received earlier today checks worth a total of P620,000 through the Fire Remuneration Program under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

No less than Governor Nelson Dayanghirang led the distribution together with Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Provincial Director Yvette Tolentino-Sunga; Philippine Army 701st Brigade Commander Col. Manuel Sequitin, and Police Major Glenn Bantillo who represented Davao Oriental Police Provincial Office (DOPPO) Provincial Director Marcial Mariano Magistrado. The financial assistance received by the FRs range from P40,000, being the lowest, to P266,000, the highest.

While the amount of the checks received by each FR varies as it depends on the valuation of the turned over firearms based on the Implementing Guidelines and Procedures for the Disposition of Firearms, Explosives and Ammunition, Governor Dayanghirang hopes that the financial aid would help former rebels as they start over with their new lives. Col. Sequitin also expressed his high hopes that the myriad of benefits and assistance the government is giving them will help draw others rebels who are still in the movement to surrender.

Aside from firearm remuneration, PD Sunga enumerated scores of other benefits and assistance that the government is giving former rebels. These include immediate and livelihood financial assistance, facilitation of legal documents, enrolment to Philhealth, legal assistance, healing and reconciliation, and the comprehensive in-house rehabilitation through the halfway house called Happy Home. Photos by Eden Jhan Licayan