Samar TF-ELCAC holds ribbon cutting, blessing of 'Peace House' for former rebels
By 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army / Philippine Information Agency
CAMP VICENTE LUKBAN – The Samar Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (STF-ELCAC) conducted a ribbon cutting and blessing of a halfway house for returning New People’s Army (NPA) rebels on December 9, 2020.
The halfway house called ‘Peace House’ which is situated within the 8th Infantry Division compound was funded through the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) - PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn or PAMANA. It has dormitory-type rooms, an entertainment area, and several other amenities.
Samar Governor Reynolds Micheal T. Tan said the Peace House will serve as a processing center for former rebels as part of the local government’s initiative under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP). It will also be used as a temporary shelter for all former rebels as they begin their rehabilitation journey back to mainstream society.
Tan reiterated the local government’s full support to the E-CLIP and assured that it will continue to assist the returning rebels in the province. In fact, it allocated P25 million as a fund for the Local Social Integration Program (L-SIP) of the province.
“Gusto ko na talaga na magkaroon ng lasting peace dito sa Samar kasi the problem has been here for more than 50 years and ayoko na i-prolong pa for another 50 years. So, during my administration as Governor, siguro naman, hopefully, we can solve this problem pero if not at least we’ve made a significant reduction sa problem ngayon,” Tan said.
On the other hand, the 8th Infantry Division Commander, Major General Pio Q. Diñoso III assured the former rebels that the military will support them as they undergo a series of transformation activities and livelihood training.
Diñoso also acknowledged the fact that the government has its shortcomings that somehow they wanted to fill by giving them what was denied to them for many years while they were still part of the communist group. To live initially secured inside the peace house for one and living peacefully and happily with their loved ones in the future.
"Wala naman talagang gustong maging rebelde. Nalinlang lang sila, natulak sila dahil na rin sa mga pagkukulang natin sa gobyerno. Ngayon ang misyon nga ng 8ID is i-rescue itong mga tao na ito. Kasi 'pag nasa loob na sila ng grupo, ng kilusan, doon nagkakaroon ng riyalisasyon na mali pala ang kanilang nasapian. Ngayon 'pag nasa loob ka na kasi ay mahirap nang lumabas. So responsibilidad namin iyon at aming objective nga na i-rescue sila," Diñoso said.
Ka Ronna, a former rebel could not hold back her tears as she looked back on how the local government and law enforcement agencies helped her after surrendering six months ago. She said she was not only given a second chance to be reunited with her family but was also given livelihood.
“Sa aking mga kasamahan, bumaba na kayo. May nakalaan na tulong ang pamahalaan sa inyo. Kaysa nandiyan kayo sa kabundukan na nagtitiis sa mga lamok, lamig, ulan, gutom at puyat na wala namang inaasahang sahod. Dito pwede pa kayo magbagong buhay. Tutulungan talaga kayo ng gobyerno. Ang ELCAC talaga ang nangunguna sa tulong ng mga Local Government Units,” said Ka Ronna.
Diñoso also encouraged every citizen of Eastern Visayas to not allow fear to prevail but instead to work hard and unite to end the decades long insurgency problem in the region. (8ID)