The campaign to end the local communist insurgency was boosted with the surrender in San Isidro, Leyte on January 23, 2020 of 262 former communist rebels who received immediate, livelihood and firearm assistance under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) from President Rodrigo R. Duterte, assisted by DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año and other members of the Presidential cabinet.

The former rebels who come from the towns of Calubian, Burauen, MacArthur and San Isidro, Leyte received a total of 6.258 Million pesos in financial assistance from DILG in a short program held at the municipal gymnasium of San Isidro, Leyte. They consisted of 33 regulars of the New People’s Army and 229 members of the Militia ng Bayan.

Each former rebel received 15,000 pesos each in Immediate Assistance totalling 3.930 Million pesos while 33 former NPA rebels received 50,000 pesos each in Financial Assistance, for a total of 1.650 Million pesos. One (1) former NPA rebel from MacArthur, Leyte received 678,000 pesos in Firearms Remuneration after surrendering five firearms: 4 pcs. 5.56 cal. MK Bushmaster rifles, and 1 Cal. 45 Colt MK 4 pistol.

The president likewise turned over a check worth five million pesos to the provincial government of Leyte for construction of a halfway house for former rebels.
The return of a huge number of former rebels in Leyte island to mainstream society is the product of concerted efforts between the local governments, civilian and military agencies as part of the Whole of Nation approach under Executive Order 70. The provincial government of Leyte will build a peace village for former rebels.

Earlier in the day, the DILG Secretary met with mayors from all over the region to orient them on EO 70, to hear their suggestions and answer their queries.