The Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program on Monday provided about P3.295 million in cash assistance to 58 former rebels who surrendered in Davao de Oro.
In a ceremony held at the Old Session Hall, Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy turned over to the former rebels the checks with amounts ranging from P15,000 to P150,000.
Uy urged the beneficiaries to do their roles in ensuring peace in their respective communities.
“Tabangi mi ninyo uban sa mga programa nga ginapakusgan sa probinsiya, which is ang Oplan Pagbabago. Dili kini mamahimong magmalampuson kung naa pay pipila sa atoa nga hantod karon nabulagan pa sa mali nga idelohiya,” he said.
The governor also challenged the beneficiaries to use the assistance to help their lives.
“Dali lang mahurot ang kwarta; pero kung maayo pagpahiluna, dako kaayo nang tabang sa inyo,” he added.
A former squad leader of Front 2 received P150,000 for turning over an M14 rifle.
Meanwhile, soldiers discovered arms allegedly belonging to the New People’s Army in an isolated area of Sitio Danawan, Brgy. Manurigao, New Bataan, Davao de Oro on Tuesday afternoon,
Lt Col. Ezra Balagtey, Eastern Mindanao Command spokesperson, said members of the 66th Infantry Battalion found the guns of the NPA group that was being monitored as having stationed in the boundary of Davao de Oro and Davao Oriental.
Balagtey said the cache included four M16 rifles, one M14 rifle, two AK47 rifles, one Garand rifle, one Carbine rifle, and two M203 grenade launchers.
The guns were found after residents of the place, and former leaders of the rebels, confirmed its existence.
Military reports said that the former leaders of the group surrendered earlier to Lt. Col. Roman S. Mabborang, commander of the battalion, and Davao de Oro Jayvee Tyron L. Uy.
Another team of soldiers, this time from the 73rd Infantry Battalion, found guns in Sitio Mahayag, Upper Suyan, Malapatan, Sarangani province on the same day.
Guns that were found included an AK-47 and Garand rifles.
