Vice guv: Give livelihood to rebel returnees not cash

Cebu Vice Governor Gregorio Sanchez, Jr. has pushed for livelihood assistance to the two rebel returnees in Catmon town instead of financial assistance.

He is wary that the money might be spent on some other purposes instead of the establishment of a livelihood.

Since the couple-returnees want to have a better life after years in the underground movement, he said it now becomes a responsibility of the province to properly guide them in realizing this goal.

"Lisud ang kinabuhi oy kung gukdonon ka sa balaud," he said.

Sanchez said if rebel returnees live better lives through livelihood programs, more rebels would certainly follow suit by turning themselves over to the government.

However, he entrusted Governor Gwendolyn Garcia on the kind of assistance the provincial government could provide to the couple.

Hardship drove Luciano Puro alias "Mendo" and his live-in partner Roselyn Nura to join the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army seven years ago. But a life faced with more hardships with the underground movement also drove them to return to the fold of the law.

Puro said he was convinced by the teachings of the communists that the poor, especially the farmers, should not be deprived of their land controlled by a few landed individuals.

Roselyn, on the other hand, met Luciano while she was still 17 years old. It was learned that she had no inclination to join the rebel movement. But she got exposed to the teachings during cultural presentations held by the movement in their place in Danao City, where she met Luciano.

Eventually, the friendship developed into a romantic relationship in October 2000 even if their leaders were reportedly against it.

The couple and their children were accompanied by personnel of the Army's 78th Infantry Battalion to the office of Catmon Mayor Estrella Aribal last Monday morning.

They were warmly welcomed by Aribal and Sangguniang Bayan member Victoriano Duran, Jr. who is the chairman of the municipal council peace and order committee.

Duran facilitated Puro's surrender after the rebel's brother sought help from him. The returnees are to be presented this morning before the governor.

But before Garcia's arrival last night from her trip in Japan, Aribal already told the couple that the governor has plans for them.

Aribal assured to help Puro and his live-in partner as they start their new life. The municipality will send the children to school in the day care center, and the couple to a skills training program for them to start a livelihood. - Gregg M. Rubio