“Kagaya nitong ELCAC, it’s a very good program. It has helped a lot of the rebels find their way into the mainstream of society at makisali kayo,” Duterte said in his public address.
The President reiterated his call to communist insurgents to surrender, promising them job, training and livelihood, as well as land and shelter.
“Hindi man kayo mabigyan kaagad, just be patient. But kung sana halos lahat nabigyan ko… Let’s — tingnan natin ‘yung mga bahay na nabigay sa mga rebels at ‘yung lupa, ” he said.
Government agencies such as the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) are ready to provide skills training. Rebels returning to the fold of the law will receive a parcel of land and a housing unit like Duterte distributed in Leyte recently.
Duterte said all they have to do is to go to a police or military facility in their area and surrender.
“Hini-jack ko ‘yung propaganda, the one propaganda that the communists, the terrorists are relying is noon walang lupa. Now, I have distributed something like 160 — 100,000 hectares ang naibigay ko na,” he said.
“At ‘yung pabahay gawin natin malista lang naman kayo and I hope the next administration will continue with this ELCAC, ” Duterte added.
Last week, the President inaugurated the new Leyte Provincial Capitol and led the distribution of certificates of land ownership awards (CLOAs) to agrarian reform beneficiaries including former rebels.
He also handed out housing units at the Peace and Prosperity Village to former rebels.
NTF-ELCAC is a task force organized through Executive Order No. 70 to address the ongoing communist rebellion by having a whole of a nation approach by different government agencies.
Photo: Presidential Communications