From Armed Struggle to New Beginnings: 21 Former Rebels in Agusan Norte Receive P1.78-M Reintegration Aid

BUTUAN CITY — Twenty-one former rebels in Agusan del Norte have taken another step toward rebuilding their lives after receiving more than P1.78 million in government assistance under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), reinforcing the government’s continuing push for peace and reintegration.

During the recent Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) meeting led by Governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell Amante, the former rebels received more than P1.78 million in assistance under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), reaffirming the government's commitment to helping former members of armed groups rebuild their lives and reintegrate into society.

The beneficiaries, composed of former members of the New People's Army (NPA) and Militia ng Bayan under the custody of various military and intelligence units, received a combination of immediate financial assistance, livelihood support, reintegration aid, and firearms remuneration based on their eligibility. The provincial government also distributed assorted goods, while the Department of Health provided sleeping kits to support the returnees as they begin a new chapter in their lives.

For a former rebel known as "Boyong," the assistance paves way for a future that was impossible to find while living as a terrorist. Recruited into the NPA at the age of 17, Boyong eventually became a squad leader before deciding, together with his wife, to surrender on June 28, 2023. The couple turned over four high-powered firearms and chose to leave behind a life defined by conflict and uncertainty.

“Being with the government side gave us peace of living. I am thankful because now my family is benefiting from the assistance of the government,” he said. His message reflects the growing number of former rebels choosing peace over armed struggle, with family and stability becoming their priority.

Governor Amante emphasized that peace gains must be protected through strong local leadership and responsive governance. “Let the people feel that they have a government,” Amante urged local officials and security sectors.

The awarding ceremony also gathered military and civilian leaders, including Eastern Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Adonis Ariel Orio and 4th Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Marion Angcao, both of whom reaffirmed the Armed Forces’ commitment to preventing insurgency resurgence through partnership and community development.

Officials stressed that E-CLIP remains a vital component of the government’s whole-of-nation strategy, combining security efforts with livelihood, social services, and local development, to transform former rebels into partners of peace and nation-building.