IMPASUGONG, BUKIDNON – As promised by the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Bukidnon province, 12 former CPP-NPA Terrorists (CNTs) under the care of the 8th Infantry “Dependable Battalion, Philippine Army were given additional cash assistance at the Governor’s office, provincial capitol grounds, Malaybalay City last October 22, 2021.
Hon. Jose Maria Zubiri, the Provincial Governor of Bukidnon, personally handed to the former rebels (FRs) a cheque amounting to PhP 25,000.00 each. The said FRs were among the 30 former CNTs presented during the “Presentation of Former Rebels (FRs) and Surrendered Firearms” program last October 12, 2021.
According to the pregnant Honey Mae Landasan, alias Jana/Bea/Nea, 21 years old, a former medic of Guerilla Front 89, Sub-Regional Committee 2, North Central Mindanao Regional Committee, “Mapasalamaton ako sa tabang nga gihatag sa gobyerno kanako ilabi na sa akong kahimtang karon nga usa ako ka mabdos. Dako kini ug katabang isip pagsugod sa akoang bag-ong kinabuhi ug pagpangandam sa akoang mamahimong anak.” (I am very thankful to the assistance given by the government especially that I am pregnant. This will help me start a new life and prepare for my future child.)
LTC Edgardo Talaroc Jr, Commander 8IB, expressed, “Kanunay natong ginapasalamatan ang kaabag nato nga mao ang lokal nga panggamhanan sa Bukidnon tungod sa ilang walay puas nga tabang nga ginahatag sa mga kanhing rebelde. Kini dakong ebidensya nga tinuod ang gobyerno sa iyang saad nga bag-ong kinabuhi alang sa mga nabiktima sa Communist Terrorist Group (CTG). Padayun namong panawagan mao ang pagkanaug sa mga nahibilin pang mga CNT ug ang pagpili nila sa kinabuhing malipayon ug malinawon.” (We thank our peace and development partner, the local government unit of Bukidnon, for their untiring support to the FRs. This only goes to show that the government is true to its promise to provide a new life to those who were exploited by the CTG. We continue to call upon the remaining CNTs to chose a life that is joyful and peaceful.)
It can be recalled that last October 12, the said FRs received PhP 25,000.00 each from the Bukidnon LGU, PhP 10,000.00 each from the DSWD-10 as well as hygiene kits, sacks of rice, food packs, kitchen utensils, and sleeping kits.
