(Last of two parts)
WHEN the communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels came to their area in 2014, ‘Ka Elias’ said it was ‘unavoidable’ for him and his neighbors to be recruited into the rebels’ ranks.
“Pero sadya nga miabot na sila (NPA rebels) nahimo man kaming miyembro nila kay di mi makalikay sa ila bisag unsaon man among gihimo paglikay sa ila. Halos gawas sa balay nimo og sa gitrabahuan nimo pag-uma gitagbo mo sila. Kon maglikay ka ipatawag ka nila…so mapugos ka mag-apil sa ila,” said ‘Ka Elias’ in his videotaped message.
Eventually, ‘Ka Elias’ and other former comrades found themselves surrendering to the government when former president Rodrigo Duterte launched 2018 his administration’s ‘whole of nation’ approach to ending the local communist armed conflict.
Part of that approach was the E-CLIP (Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program) spearheaded by the Department of Interior and Local Governments (DILG) in coordination with the Department of Defense (DND).
Cagayan de Oro City was among the frontliners in the government’s campaign headed by former Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) chief and concurrent Cabinet Officer for Regional Development (CORD) Martin Andanar.
In an interview, the E-CLIP head secretariat for City Hall Norhidaya Hadji Sarip said the 51 former rebels are adjusting well to steady-paced lives in Cagayan de Oro City.
“We have our own programs (in City Hall) which we coordinate with the regional and national government offices. For those with pending cases, the former rebels and their families are assured of services included in the E-CLIP program. We extended our Binoliga basic literacy program with Xavier University and the Department of Education (DepEd) to them and their children,” Sarip said.
Sarip said the 51 former rebels are staying in socialized housing units provided by the National Housing Authority (NHA) and City Hall facilitated their registration as voters in the city.
“We are working with (Office of the Presidential Adviser for Peace Process) in facilitating the registration of former rebels into homeowners associations and we also helped them set up community stores (for their livelihood),” she said.
The former rebels also availed of City Hall’s leadership and capability pieces of training to prepare themselves in organizing their associations while those who graduated from their Binoliga basic literacy program enrolled in schools, Sarip said.
“Some of them were also employed after passing the (Assessment and Equivalency) test and completing the Binoliga basic literacy program,” she said.
Though challenging on their part, Sarip said their joint efforts with stakeholders are paying off.
“Our efforts in implementing the E-CLIP implementation (have restored the faith) of former rebels who want to register as voters in Cagayan de Oro City. So we are positive about (the results of our work),” she said.
‘Ka Elias’ shared the same sentiment, saying he has no regrets about leaving the movement.
‘Ka Elias’ also thanked City Hall under Mayor Rolando ‘Klarex’ Uy’s administration for continuing to help him and other former rebels living in the city.
“Sa pag miyembro nako sa E-CLIP wala ko nagmahay sa gobyerno. Gitagaan ko sa gobyerno, sa DILG sa (financial assistance)…gikan 2018 hangtod karon gitabangan mi sa CSWDO (City Social Welfare Development Office)…si Mayor Klarex gipatuman gud iyang gisaad nga ayuda sa amo,” said ‘Ka Elias’. (Stephen Capillas of City Information Office)
