TABUK CITY, Kalinga – A former communist rebel known by the moniker “Sayap” of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA), has been awarded PhP2.3 million in financial assistance through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) which is intended to aid in his reintegration into civilian life under the Firearm Remuneration Plan.
During a press briefing at the Provincial Capitol, Kalinga Governor and ECLIP Chairperson James Edduba personally handed over the financial package. “Sayap,” who was a rebel for 35 years, surrendered 31 firearms, many of which were high-powered machine guns, to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). This marked a significant victory following efforts to recover a weapons cache in Gueday, Besao, Mt. Province.
Out of the surrendered firearms, 29 were monetized, with two pending valuations. The financial package includes: PhP500,000 for the education of his three children currently enrolled in college, PhP1.5 million for purchasing land for his residence, PhP60,000 for a “kulong-kulong” motorcycle for business use, PhP186,300 for a talipapa (small market) project.
Additionally, the Department of Labor and Employment provided PhP30,000 for a poultry farming initiative, while the Department of Social Welfare and Development pledged PhP20,000 for further assistance and arranged free driving lessons through TESDA Kalinga.
Brigadier General Romualdo Raymund Landingin, Commander of the AFP’s 503rd Infantry Brigade, mentioned that at least 50 more NPA members in Kalinga are interested in surrendering, but concerns over legal cases and security are holding them back. Landingin reassured that returning rebels will receive security and assistance under the Firearm Remuneration & Demilitarization Program.
Governor Edduba echoed this, announcing an increase in ECLIP benefits for future surrenderers, from PhP5,000 to PhP50,000, to further motivate rebels to return to mainstream society. He also vowed to expedite infrastructure development in ELCAC (End Local Communist Armed Conflict) barangays like Balbalan to promote peace and progress.
DILG-CAR Assistant Regional Director Ruperto Maribay Jr. praised the successful negotiation, which took nearly a year to finalize, urging remaining CPP-NPA members to follow Sayap’s example. He emphasized that legal cases against rebels will be lifted upon surrender, ensuring a clear path to reintegration.
The successful negotiation was a collaborative effort involving the DILG Cordillera, AFP’s 5CMO Battalion, CMOR, PA 503rd Infantry Brigade, Philippine National Police (PNP) Kalinga, and ECLIP, led by Edduba. By Jesse Maguiya