Published on: September 27, 2023 | Written by: Beatriz Faye G. Carreon

Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte – The Department of the Interior and Local Government IX orchestrated a meaningful event at the Cultural and Sports Center situated in Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte last August 30, 2023. The primary aim of this gathering was to celebrate the allocation of financial aid to individuals formerly engaged in rebellion, or now called Friends Rescued (FRs), as part of the Firearms Remuneration aspect within the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP). This occasion represented a pivotal step in the government’s endeavors to advance peace and order within the region.

The central goal of the occasion was to enable the delivery of DILG-Administered Packages, to both FRs and individuals previously involved in violent extremism. This aligns with the directives specified in the Joint Memorandum Circular issued by the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Department of National Defense in 2021 (JMC 2021-01). This initiative strives to reintegrate these individuals back into mainstream society, granting them the chance to embark on a new beginning and pursue peaceful and constructive lives.   

The highlight of the event revolved around the symbolic handover of financial aid through check presentations to four (4) individuals, known as Friends Rescued (FRs), who had displayed exceptional courage by renouncing their involvement in armed rebellion and opting to align themselves with the Philippine Government once again. The event witnessed the distribution of a noteworthy sum, totaling P692,912.00, which served as compensation for the firearms previously employed by these FRs in their pursuits, and subsequently handed over to government authorities as part of their commitment to reintegration into civilian life.

The presence of distinguished guests added significance to the ECLIP Awarding ceremony. Among these who graced the occasion were Executive Assistant II Aurelio Monteclaro, representing the Provincial Governor of Zamboanga del Norte, Rosalina G. Jalosjos; DILG Regional Director Paisal O. Abutazil, CESO III; DILG Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Director Oliver B. Ombos; LTC Nolasco B. Corderos, Jr., Commanding Officer of the 97th Infantry Battalion; and LTC Anshary U. Paumbaya, Commanding Officer of the 44th Infantry Battalion.   

The attendance of these respected figures highlighted the government’s dedication to fostering peace and advancing the region’s development. It symbolized the cooperative endeavor involving multiple agencies, such as the DILG, the Department of National Defense (DND), and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), in the pursuit of enduring peace and order in Zamboanga Peninsula.

Through this initiative, the government is actively striving for a future where cooperation and progress replace conflict and violence, thereby securing a more promising future for all the region’s citizens.