Former Rebels in AgNor Receive Livelihood Settlement Grant
CABADBARAN CITY, Agusan del Norte -- The 29th Infantry (Matatag) Battalion in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Provincial Government of Agusan del Norte joined the "Livelihood Settlement Grant Releasing of funds to the Former Rebels".
Benido Gumapac, an FR recipient said in a statement that after receiving the monetary assistance "Ako ning inegosyo nga kwarta aron mutubo ug aron dugang panginabuhian. Dako gyud nakong pasalamat sa DSWD ug kay Gov Angel kay gikan ko sa walang-wala gyud, unya gitabangan ko nila nga mubakod. Gitabangan gyud ko sa gobyerno. Busa akong ginahangyo kadtong mga kanhi nakong kauban dinha sa bukid nga munaog na kay sama nako tabangan ta sa gobyerno." ("I will use the money to fund a business that will serve as my source of income. I am very grateful to the DSWD and to Gov. Angel because I have nothing and they helped me to start my means of living. Because of this, I am pleading to my former colleagues to surrender because like me, the government is really committed to help.")
According to Director Ramel Jamen in his message to the Former Rebels "Among gidahom nga masulbad ni atong problema sa kalisod, aron dili namo mubalik pa sa bukid, aron mas matabangan mo namo. Ang kalisod masulbad sa maayong desisyon ug diskarte. Naa na sa inyo ang pagpaningkamot karon kay kami kanunay mag agak sa inyo." ( We are hoping that we can solve this problem so that you will not come back to the mountains and so that we can help you out. All difficulties can be solved through wise actions. You have to be industrious and we will guide and support you.")
Col Jason M Saldua extended his message to the FRs in his statement "Kami mga kasunduluhan ninyo sa 29IB, makapasalig gyud mi sa inyong seguridad ug among giya
aron matabangan gyud mo sa inyong pagbag-ong kinabuhi tungod ani akong
ginahangyo pag-usab ang mga igsoon nato nga naa pa dinha sa bukid nga munaog na
kay naghulat mi inyong pamilya ug ang inyong gobyerno sa inyong pagbalik."
(The 29IB troopers, can guarantee your security and will guide you, so that we
can help you in your endeavor to come back into the mainstream society and
enjoy a peaceful and harmonious life with your family and love ones. By this, I
am once again calling our misguided brothers that are still in the Communist
Terrorist Group organization that the government is aspiring your return to the
folds of law") (2Lt. Rose Ann Mae U. Cordova (QMS) PA, 29IB PA/PIA Agusan
del Norte)
