96 former NPA supporters receive livelihood assistance from Candon City

Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija – As part of the government’s campaign to end the local insurgency in Ilocos Sur, 96 former NPA supporters who pledged loyalty to the government each received Ph P8,500.00 livelihood assistance from the Candon City Task Force in Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (CTF-ELCAC) in coordination with the 81st Infantry Battalion and the Department of Interior and Local Government on July 17, 2020 at the City Multi-Purpose Hall in Candon City, Ilocos Sur.

The 96 former NPA supporters are from the Barangays of Tablac and Bugnay both of Candon City.

Mayor Singson in his message said that he is hoping that the money received by the beneficiaries will be used to put up something that will help them earn extra income and that they will serve as models and good references for those who are still supporting the NPA bandits. Further he said that they put up the said assistance as their share to the collective efforts of government agencies to end the local communist armed conflict inside their City.

“I hope that this endeavor will encourage other NPA supporters to return to the folds of the government.”

“I hope that this endeavor will encourage other NPA supporters to return to the folds of the government,” said Brigadier General Audrey L. Pasia PA, the Commander of 702nd Infantry Brigade when he was asked for comment on the activity. He also expressed appreciation to the leadership of Candon City in contributing to the effort of the national government and the security sector in coming up with a positive action to end the local armed conflict in their jurisdiction.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Colonel Rodrigo A. Mariñas Jr., the Commanding Officer of 81IB said, "It is the right thing to do," in his comment to the decision of the former NPA supporters to renounce their support from the bandits, which paved the way for them to receive livelihood assistance from the City Government of Candon.

Present during awarding was Mayor Ericson G. Singson of Candon City, Lieutenant Colonel Mariñas Jr., representative from Candon City Police Station, and other officials of the Local Government Unit of Candon City.