CAMP AQUINO, Tarlac City — The Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) in the Cordillera demonstrated a significant milestone towards national peace and reconciliation, granting P2.3 million pesos in assistance under the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) to Viernes Dangiwan, alias Ka Lipat, a former member of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG).
Ka Lipat received the assistance package that includes immediate financial aid, educational support for his dependents, house and lot assistance, and livelihood aid on October 7, 2024, at the Kalinga provincial Capitol.
Ka Lipat was a former Deputy Secretary of the Regional Yunit Sentro (RYS) and Commanding Officer of the Komiteng Larangang Guerilla (KLG) Baggas under the Ilocos-Cordillera Regional Committee (ICRC) before he surrendered to the military in 2023 after three decades with the CTG and turned over 29 high-powered firearms, qualifying him for the government firearms remuneration program to support his reintegration into mainstream society.
This milestone marks not only a victory for the RTF-ELCAC’s peace and reintegration efforts but also a significant personal triumph for Ka Lipat as he set his journey towards reintegration and a symbol of hope to the remaining former rebels to surrender and to embrace peace, giving them the opportunity to rebuild their lives and contribute to the nation’s peace and development.
Kalinga Governor James Edduba, who presided over the awarding ceremony, highlighted this accomplishment of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, stressing the importance of providing opportunities to former rebels.
“This is our goal: to encourage our fellows to return to our communities, to restore their faith to the government, and to foster peace and development,” he stated.
Ka Lipat expressed his gratitude for the government assistance he received, and he committed to be an advocate for peace and development.
The awarding ceremony was witnessed by the RTF-ELCAC member agencies—DILG, DSWD, TESDA, PNP, AFP, and other member agencies that are consistently collaborating in implementing ECLIP. (UnliNews Online)
