1,035 ex-rebels get P20.7-million aid

MANILA, Philippines – The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) had released P20.7 million in cash assistance to 1,035 former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) from March to April, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Avelino Razon Jr. said.

Razon said each of the rebel returnees received P20,000 as the part of the intensified Social Integration Program of the OPAPP.

Ramon Guanio, project manager of the OPAPP’s program implementation and monitoring office, said the rebel returnees hail from Bohol, 25; Western Samar, 71; Agusan del Sur, 368; Leyte, 109; Kalinga, 109; Cagayan Valley, 279; and Agusan del Norte, 74. – Jose Rodel Clapano