NVizcaya PNP forms rebel returnees into an organization
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya (October 1) -- The national government through the Philippine National Police(PNP) here is in the process of organizing rebel returnees in the province to facilitate their benefits and to further provide assistance to uplift their status in the society.
"I do not see any reason why this will not materialize. We have to join hands in realizing this purpose," Sr. Supt. Segundo Duran, police provincial director said during a dialogue Thursday.
Ernesto Bumarca, one of the rebel returnees said he is very happy to attend the dialogue because it will serve as a venue to air their sentiments and problems.
He said he and his fellow former rebels have been longing for the government's program of packages under the amnesty program.
Joey Magno, a former rebel returnee and worker at the Department of Agrarian Reform(DAR) said more than 16,000 hectares of land in the province are available for distribution which can be tapped to relocate homeless rebel returnees and provide livelihood areas for them.
The dialogue which was attended by 31 rebel returnees is one of the PNP's priority programs here in coordination with the provincial government and other concerned agencies.
The 31 rebel returnees is part of the 50 more who have not yet receive their benefits from the government's amnesty program.
Before the program ended, the participants organized themselves into an association dubbed NV Rebel Returnees' Association and elected their officers.
The dialogue was attended by Luis Danao, provincial director of the Department of Interior and Local Government(DILG), PNP provincial director Segundo Duran, lawyer Joel Baquiran, president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines(IBP) - NV Chapter and 2Lt Juvy Balajadia of the army's 54th Infantry Division based in Dupax del Sur town here. (PIA NVizcaya) [top]
