TINOC, Ifugao – Some forty-four former rebels and supporters from this upland town who earlier withdrew their support to the communist movement recently received funds for livelihood assistance from the Cordillera office of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE-CAR) for them to start a new lease in life.
The funds were released on September 24 to the municipal government for it to procure the needed equipment or supplies and also monitor the development and improvement of the former rebels’ preferred livelihood program.
DOLE–CAR Regional Director Nathaniel V. Lacambra said the 44 recipients of livelihood kits are from the barangays of Tukucan and Impugong in this town and the livelihood assistance aims to reintegrate these former insurgents and their families back into their communities to start anew and provide them with a sustainable source of income.
“We are working closely with the national and regional Task Force on Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) in the identification of beneficiaries and the provision of livelihood grants is one of the many interventions of the NTF ELCAC in the implementation of the whole-of-nation approach against insurgencies,” Lacambra added.
During a ceremony held in Barangay Impugong, the 44 former rebels took their oath of allegiance to the government, symbolically sealing their commitment with their signatures and also pledged never to return to their former involvement with CTGs and publicly denounced the group’s activities by burning CTG flags and banners.
In addition, the DOLE–CAR through the its Ifugao Field Office, in collaboration with Municipal Mayor Samson C. Benito and the Tinoc Public Employment Service Office (PESO), will implement the emergency employment program more known as the Tulong Panghanapbuhay Para sa Ating Displaced/Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) in the municipality amounting to two million pesos (PhP2M) in October.
Meanwhile, PCol. Ruel Tagel, Commander of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 15 (RMFB15), credited the success of the mass withdrawal to a series of negotiations led by RMFB operatives, with critical support from family members and relatives of those who surrendered.
This initiative is in line with Executive Order No. 70, which emphasizes a whole-of-nation approach to ELCAC through good governance and collaborative efforts in conflict-affected areas.
RMFB15’s “Panag-aywan Iti Kailyan” program played a key role in this achievement, with continuous engagement in various barangays across the municipality, further strengthening the campaign against insurgency.
The mass withdrawal and oath-taking were witnessed by heads and representatives from various government agencies, law enforcement, local government units, and members of the community.
National government officials welcomed the former CTG supporters back into mainstream society with financial aid, livelihood assistance, and other forms of government support.
Notable officials present at the event included Governor Jerry Dalipog, Congressman Solomon Chungalao’s representative Tom Guinomn, Tinoc Mayor Samson Benito, OPAPRU Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr.’s representative Bismarck Soliba, NICA Deputy Director General Abelardo Villacorta, DOLE-CAR Regional Director Nathaniel Lacambra, Police Regional Office Cordillera Regional Director PBGen. David Peredo Jr., and representatives from DSWD-CAR, DILG-CAR, and the Philippine Army’s 502nd Infantry Brigade.
Also in attendance were officials and representatives from the Ifugao PPO, Tinoc MPS, PNP Special Action Force, AFP Civil Relations Group, Ifugao PSWDO, and Punong Barangay Pedro Campoy. By Partick T. Rillorta
