A total of 2 million pesos worth of financial assistance was provided by the government to a former rebel in Kalinga Province.
According to Major Al Anthony Pueblas, the Commander of the 1st Civil Relations Group, the aid was granted to Viernes Dangiwan, alias Ka Lipat, a former member of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG), under the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP).
“The Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) in the Cordillera demonstrated a significant milestone towards national peace and reconciliation, granting 2.3 million pesos in assistance under the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) to Viernes Dangiwan, alias Ka Lipat, a former member of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG),” Pueblas stated.
Ka Lipat received the assistance package this week at the Kalinga provincial Capitol which includes immediate financial aid, educational support for his dependents, house and lot assistance, and livelihood aid.
Before surrendering to the military in 2023 after three decades with the CTG, Ka Lipat served as the Deputy Secretary of the Regional Yunit Sentro (RYS) and Commanding Officer of the Komiteng Larangang Guerilla (KLG) Baggas under the Ilocos-Cordillera Regional Committee (ICRC).
Upon his surrender, he turned over 29 high-powered firearms, which qualified him for the government firearms remuneration program aimed at supporting his reintegration into mainstream society.
“This milestone marks not only a victory for the RTF-ELCAC’s peace and reintegration efforts but also a significant personal triumph for Ka Lipat as he sets out on his journey towards reintegration. He serves as a symbol of hope for remaining former rebels to surrender and embrace peace, giving them the opportunity to rebuild their lives and contribute to the nation’s peace and development,” Pueblas added.
Ka Lipat expressed gratitude for the government assistance he received and committed to being an advocate for peace and development.
