Cagayan Prov’l Gov’t Employs 13 Rebel Returnees

The provincial government here is now processing the employment of at least 13 rebel returnees through the Cagayan Employment Assistance Program (CEAP) of the present administration.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Camilo Saddam, commanding officer of the 7th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army, of the 19 rebel returnees endorsed for the employment assistance, 13 were accepted into the program.

Saddam said the rebel returnees were among the 32 members of the New People’s Army (NPA) who returned to the fold of the law this year as a result of the massive clearing operations conducted by the army in the insurgency-affected barangays in the province.

“This is one of the interventions we give to our former guerillas to improve their lives. We want to give them sustainable source of livelihood for their families,” he said.

According to Saddam, a diploma is not required for former rebels as they will be hired as job order employees of the local government and will be given tasks and functions suited with their skills and capabilities.

He added that if rebel returnees need to acquire additional skills and trainings, they will be referred to the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority for assistance.

Aside from this, the 17th IB also partnered with various organizations and government agencies to continuously provide sustainable livelihood and other interventions for former rebels as they reintegrate themselves back to mainstream society. (ALM/OTB/PIA-2 Cagayan)