By Francis T. Wakefield
Around 700 former communist rebels from different parts of Eastern Mindanao who have surrendered their arms to government forces were gathered at the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM) covered court in Panacan, Davao City yesterday.
The former rebels, most of whom were from Agusan, Bukidnon, Surigao, Davao, Cotabato and Sarangani will become automatic recipients of the government’s Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP), which offers surrenderees financial and livelihood assistance.
Among benefits each former communist rebel can get from CLIP are P15,000 financial support, P50,000 livelihood package, and remuneration for their surrendered firearm ranging from P12,000 to P210,000.
The former communist rebels present at the occasion were those who surrendered from January to December 15 this year yielding 265 high and low-powered firearms.