Año disappointed after Makabayan bloc accuses cops, military over edited photo

December 30, 2019

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Monday expressed disappointment after Makabayan bloc accused the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines over an edited photo by the Army showing rebels who surrendered to the government. 

Año accepted their challenge to open a Congress inquiry on their rebel surrenderee program or Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

He said this will allow the government to report to the public the significant accomplishments of the E-CLIP which provides a complete package of assistance to former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) and Militia ng Bayan and their family members who have laid down their arms.

Based on government data, from July 2018 to November 2019, a total of P171.6 million in financial assistance package have been released to 2,882 rebel surrenderers under the program of the interagency Task Force Balik-Loob.

Of the 2,882 total number of former rebels, 2,635 among them were granted immediate assistance; 1,788 with livelihood assistance; and 655 firearms remuneration amounting to P 171.6 million from July 2018 to November 2019.

Under the E-Clip grant, former rebels or their qualified beneficiaries are entitled to benefits ranging from guaranteed safety and security; monetary assistance such as a P50,000 as livelihood assistance, P21,000 for meals cost as FR is in the custody of Receiving Unit and other expenses, and P15,000 per FR for mobilization expenses; and firearms remuneration amounting to the value of turned-in firearms, among others.

Año added it is wrong for the Makabayan bloc to accuse the government forces who are working hard to ensure peace.

“It is not right that those who are taking care of the security of the state and people are being ruined by a leftist bloc,” Año said.

“We are ready to face the Makabayan bloc in Congress or in any forum so that the AFP and the PNP can defend themselves and prove to the world that it is these leftist lawmakers who are concocting stories and spreading lies,” he added.

The interior secretary expressed disbelief that the Makabayan bloc was quick to attack the government but was silent when a landmine planted by members of the NPA killed two and injured 12 civilians in Borongan, Eastern Samar last December 14.

Año said the PNP and AFP commands have ordered its units to be more circumspect in releasing photos and information to the public and are taking appropriate measures to ensure such lapses will not happen.

“Let’s not give the enemies of the state a chance to look for mistakes on our good program for our people,” he said. Ella Dionisio/DMS