JRTF-ELCAC on top of former rebels’ reintegration in Zambo

PAGADIAN CITY – The Joint Regional Task Force to End Local Communists Armed Conflict (JRTF-ELCAC)-9 is ensuring the successful reintegration and development of friends rescued (FRs).

During the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas, Colonel Eddie M Pilapil, commander of the 102nd Infantry “Igsoon” Brigade said there are 332 total FRs with cases in the Zamboanga Peninsula.

275 of them are fully integrated in the community and cleansed from their cases processed by the Local Amnesty Board while the remaining individuals are still undergoing the process of reviewing and assessing their amnesty applications ensuring that they meet the legal requirements set by the government for reintegration.

As part of the reintegration to the community, the government ensures that FRs will have livelihood & economic support.

“Dapat lahat ng mga FRs natin magkaroon ng stable na trabaho. Kung hindi man sila ma-employed, at least isa sa miyembro ng pamilya nila,” said Col Eddie M. Pilapil, reiterating their commitment as FRs reintegrate into mainstream society.

(All our FRs should have stable jobs. If they cannot be employed, at least one member of their family should be.)

In Zamboanga del Sur, the provincial government has allocated ₱5 million for Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) training, and the Department of Labor and employment (DOLE) also distributed livelihood assistance for the FRs.

Meanwhile, the National Commission of Senior Citizens Cluster 6 also distributed livelihood kits to the FRs.

“Dako kaayo ko og kalipay nga naapil ko aning maong kalihokan sa gobyerno. Nakita nako nga atong gobyerno aduna gyud tabang ngadto sa mga tawong sama namo nga pobre, kabus, nga nagpuyo sa bukid,” said Pacito Dalumos, an FR beneficiary.

(I am very happy to be part of this government initiative. I have seen that our government truly provides assistance to people like us who are poor and living in the mountains.)

Department of Interior and Local Government Regional Director Paisal O. Abutazil assures that the committee will remain proactive.

“The creation of JRTF-ELCAC is very helpful in achieving peace in conflict-affected areas, kaya dapat ituloy natin itong ELCAC program,” said Director Paisal emphasizing the importance of continuing the program for the benefits it has provided to the FRs.

The JRTF-ELCAC was established as part of the whole-of-nation approach to address insurgency in the Philippines. Zamboanga Peninsula is the first region in the country to be declared insurgency-free. (Hanna Lee Cabaluna / PIA-9)