Rebel returnees in Negros receive P1.6M
By RAGIE MAE TANO-ARELLANO, ABS-CBN News Negros | 12/02/2008 10:59 PM
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Former rebels received almost P1.6 million worth of cash and benefits through the Social Integration Program (SIP) under the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Friday.
Veteliano Jakosalem, who was also known as Ka Motor, was a member of the New People's Army for twenty years. He decided to go back to the folds of the law. He said his family has suffered a lot including his children who were deprived of education.
"The life in the mountains did not help me. My family went hungry because of the useless service," said Jakosalem.
He said he started working for the NPA in 1988 as an organizer of Bayan Muna and served as councilor of Barangay Trinidad in Guihulngan town in Negros Oriental province while also serving as an armed member of the rebel group.
It never occurred to him that his surrender would fulfill his desire to provide for his family's needs.
He received a cow, a carabao and P10,000 cash for his livelihood.
Cash for firearms
Fatima Edem meanwhile could not control herself from shedding tears while holding a bundle of money. It was part of the P100,000 cash payment for the two firearms turned over by his husband when he surrendered to the government early this year.
Her husband, Wilfredo, who served the NPA as armed member for 20 years died of cardiac arrest last March.
"He was always anxious and hiding after he surrendered because his comrades were pursuing him, that's why he died of cardiac arrest," said Fatima.
She also received goods ready for a “sari-sari” mini-store as livelihood.
Govt sincerity
Fatima and Veteliano were just two of the 25 rebel returnees who received cash and benefits through SIP.
Lawyer Reuben Lingating, SIP-OPAPP program manager, stressed, the cash and benefits the former rebels received are not rewards.
"We just want to show through our program that the government is sincere in its call for peace," said Lingating.
He called on active rebels to surrender and stop fighting the government because democracy is alive in the country.
