BALER, Aurora - Former supporters of the New People's Army (NPA) in Barangay San Jose in Licab town, Nueva Ecija province have received government livelihood assistance aimed at making them productive members of society.

Through the collaborative efforts of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Army's 84th Infantry Battalion (84IB), and the local government unit of Licab, the former NPA supporters belonging to the Communist Affiliated Mass Organization (CAMO) were awarded a mushroom production livelihood starter kit on Monday.

The former communist terrorist group (CTG) supporters are now under the Bagong Pag-asa Farmers Association, a pro-government and registered People's Organization (PO).

Lt. Col. Enrico Gil Ileto, commanding officer of the 84IB, said on Tuesday the livelihood kit consists of one unit shredder machine, one unit repacking machine, four pieces of drums, three dozens of plastic bags, three kilos of rubber bands, 1,000 pieces of fruiting bags, and 18 pieces of PVC pipes.

"Pagyamanin natin ang ating organization at palakasin natin, marami po kayong challenges na haharapin dito dahil meron na kayong business at this time. Kami po sa Philippine Army, ang amin pong dasal ay maging successful po ang inyong bagong endeavor na ito na hopefully ay makatulong maigi para sa inyong kinabukasan para maging mas matiwasay po ang ating kabuhayan dito sa inyong nasasakupan (Let us enrich and strengthen our organization. There are many challenges that you are going to face because you have business at this time. We, in the Philippine Army, are praying for the success of your endeavor. Hopefully, this could help for your future)," Ileto said in a statement.

Maj. Gen. Andrew Costelo, commander of the 7th Infantry Division, commended the 84IB and the local government of Licab for its accomplishment.

"I would like to extend my gratitude to the local government of Licab for the utmost support to our troops and to the former CTG supporters. We are here to embrace you as you start a new and peaceful life, we are glad to help you as you start your new journey with the government," Costelo said.

The former rebels withdrew their support from the CTG on Aug. 8, 2020, and pledged to support the government in its peace and development initiatives.

Barangay San Jose is also a beneficiary of the Support to Barangay Development Program of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

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

The NDF has been formally designated as a terrorist organization by the Anti-Terrorism Council on June 23, 2021, citing it as "an integral and inseparable part" of the CPP-NPA created in April 1973.(PNA)