From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 28): More rebels embrace 'Kabsatklo Ipategko Program' of Abra
http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=111390812953
More remnants of the New Peoples’ Army (NPA) here and from the neighboring provinces continue to return to the folds of the law through the ‘Kabsatko Ipategko Program” of the Provincial Government of Abra (PGA) in partnership with the Philippine Army.
For surrendering with their firearms, they are given financial remuneration under the “Guns for Peace” program, formerly the Balik-Baril Program of the government.
Last January 22, 2013, four former rebels were given their checks for the firearms they have surrendered. Three got P50,000 each for surrendering the M16 armalite rifles they surrendered while one received P60,000 for his baby armalite.
The checks were awarded to the former rebels by Governor Eustaquio P. Bersamin, assisted by Col. Paul T. Atal, Commanding Officer of the 503rd Brigade and Lt. Col. Danilo Domingo, Commanding Officer of the 41st Battalion of the Philippine Army. It was witnessed by the Provincial Social Welfare Officers headed by Decimia Cabang; the religious and private sector and media.
In his message, Bersamin assured the former rebels from Cagayan and Kalinga to bring to the attention of their governors their need for further assistance in their reintegration. He thanked them for their trust and confidence in his sincerity to carry out the peace program of the national government.
He thanked the Philippine Army for helping the PGA sustain his flagship program on peace and order and counter-insurgency through the Kabsatko Ipategko ’which was launched during his first term as governor.
The KIP aims to support the rehabilitation of rebel returnees under a caring scheme where a sponsor assists the former rebel in his reintegration to the community.
Atal likewise thanked the FRs for their “Pagbabalik-Loob sa Pamahalaan” (surrender to the government), and commended the officers and men of the 41st IB for their continued efforts in collaboration with the local chief executives of the upland LGUs for facilitating the surrender of the remnants of the NPAs.
Last month, two others surrendered and the PGA outright gave them immediate financial assistance while their documents are being validated and processed at the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process for the release of their livelihood assistance funds.
http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=111390812953