EASTERN VISAYAS – The Office of Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa, in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the 8th Infantry Division (8ID), distributed P590,000 in financial assistance to 74 former members of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) on March 24, 2023. The distribution took place at the 8ID Headquarters in Catbalogan City, Samar.
Of the 74 individuals who received the financial aid, 44 of them who surrendered with firearms received P10,000 each, while the remaining 30 were given P5,000 in cash.
The distribution was led by Macky Dela Rosa, the Chief of Staff of Senator Dela Rosa, together with Grace Dela Rosa, the Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) Chief of Staff of the Senator, and Brigadier General Perfecto Peñaredondo, the 8ID Assistant Division Commander. Social workers from DSWD also joined the activity.
In her message, Macky Dela Rosa expressed her gratitude to the former rebels for their decision to return to the law and encouraged them to help the government in convincing their former comrades to surrender. "Sobrang napakalaking bagay na kayo po ay nagiging partners natin, mga Peace-makers pinili ninyo na magdesisyon at maging bahagi kayo sa kapayapaan na ating minimithi [It is a great honor to have you as our partners in peace. You made a decision to be a part of the peace that we all aspire for]," she said.
Alias Web, the former Finance Officer of Sub-Regional Committee, EMPORIUM, Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC), who had been a member of the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) for 21 years, expressed his gratitude for the support extended to them by individuals and the government.
He appealed to his former comrades to surrender and start anew, "Since my return, I have been with my family. To my comrades who are still in the movement, surrender now. Your fight is futile and is only wasting your lives. If we are with the government, we will have a better life," he said.
Meanwhile, BGen. Perfecto Peñaredondo is optimistic that the financial aid given to the FRs will help them in starting over as free individuals. He said, "We hope that the aid given by the government will be used properly so that the blessings will continue to flow. This is not the end of the government's assistance. Senator Bato also has medical, educational, and other programs to help you."
The financial assistance provided by the Office of Senator Dela Rosa and DSWD is part of the various government programs aimed at helping former rebels start anew. It is hoped that the aid given to the FRs will serve as a catalyst for them to rebuild their lives and contribute to peace-building efforts in the region. —iTacloban (Source: 8ID)