BALER, Aurora - Sixteen former members of the New People's Army (NPA) in this province have received cash assistance under the government's Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

Lt. Col. Julito B. Recto Jr., acting commander of the Army's 91st Infantry (Sinagtala) Battalion (91IB), said on Thursday six of the rebels got PHP65,000 each while the 10 others got PHP5,000 each, which could help them start their lives anew together with their families.

"The six rebels surrendered to 91IB before and received PHP65,000 as start-up capital for their chosen livelihood," Recto said in an interview.

He said the cash aid for the other former rebels came from the Department of Social Welfare and Development under its Sustainable Livelihood Program.

"I am advising them to wisely use the cash assistance they received as seed money to start a small business and earn a living to support their respective families," Recto said.

He is hopeful that the former rebels will help the government by informing their relatives, friends, and fellow rebels, who are still in the communist organization, to lay down their arms and avail of the E-CLIP.

The E-CLIP is a complete package program for individuals who have decided to abandon armed struggle and rejoin mainstream society.

It is a peacebuilding social protection program that provides interventions for former rebels in becoming productive citizens of society.

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

The Anti-Terrorism Council also formally designated the National Democratic Front as a terrorist organization on June 23, 2021, citing it as "an integral and separate part" of the CPP-NPA that was created in April 1973. (PNA)