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18 new houses turned over to former rebels

Written by magnolia_eic on 05 July 2010

IT is not exactly sleeping with the enemy, but somehow closer to that.

Army soldiers here embrace their enemies and even build shelters for them, one premium they dangle for insurgents who would opt the path of peace.

In Danao Bohol, government forces picked the hammer and pounded to build 18 new housing units for former rebel families who now partner with government in their sought reforms.

“The houses, which the army soldiers built also come with a sizable farm-lots which they can till and get a decent life in their attempt to re-integrate with the mainstream of society,” says 802nd brigade Civil Military Officer 1Lt. Jaicris Jan Mendoza, who helps foresee the program.

In fact, the 18 units are just some of the 25 units set to be constructed in Barangay Remedios Danao, as of June 28.

Some 7 more are up to be built within the next week, says Romeo Teruel who narrated that the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) told him the fund can be downloaded as soon.

Funded in part by the President’s Social fund, OPAPP and the local government, the 50 hectare area comprising of house and lots also come with electricity, water services and forest rehabilitation programs the settlers can implement.

This manifests the government’s sincerity in its Social Integration Program (SIP), Mendoza said.

He also reiterates that it gives the former rebels a head start in working out for a decent life and live peacefully.

Not a few poor people in Bohol joined the rebel movement disillusioned by poverty.

But around 185 rebel returnees who have signed up for the government’s program have seen the futility of a fight against a government when their common enemy is poverty, says Provincial Social welfare Constancia Tunacao.

With a fight that bullets can’t solve, local sectors here draft a widespread poverty alleviation initiative that runs parallel to the government’s anti-insurgency drives.

Soldiers then who used to wield weapons now get into community organizing, skills training and implementing anti-poverty initiatives in rural areas to dent on poverty, says peace worker Romeo Teruel.

But without any amnesty program to offer, convincing people to come down was a problem, until it was clear that local peace efforts could proceed despite the stalled national peace programs, he added.

To make good of the intent to place a sanctuary for surrenderees, Gov. Erico B. Aumentado introduced the resettlement project via Administrative Order No. 172 series of 2007, which aims to provide the rebel returnees a chance to be reintegrated into the society, army sources also revealed.

The project, later to be called Kalayaan Resettlement Center was administered by 802nd Brigade and implemented by the Army’s engineer support battalion, the 53rd Engineer Brigade, according to Lt Mendoza.

“Although they were once enemies of the state, when they laid down their arms and returned to folds of the law, they can now enjoy the benefits of the government program,” he reasons.

With the apparent sincerity of local government officials in making a mark on poverty, Maj Gen. Arthur Tabaquero, who used to command army units here said he has seen the day when peace would be made in Bohol.

I had a feeling this day would come, Maj Gen Tabaquero, 8th Division commanding officer bared.

This was documented as one of the most successful anti-insurgency drives in the country. (PIA-Bohol with 802nd Bde reports)

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