MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)-- Some 41 former violent extremists (FVEs) from the municipalities of Butig and Piagapo received Wednesday, Oct 12, assistance from Project Tulong Ng Gobyernong Nagmamalasakit (TuGoN) as part of the Bangsamoro Government's drive to end local armed conflict.
During the distribution, the ex-rebels got 50kg of rice, grocery packs, and one gallon of disinfectant alcohol under the Food Relief Assistance component of the project. They also received P5,000 cash support, the fourth installment of the P20,000 immediate cash assistance.
The returnees will likewise undergo skills training on agricultural crop production.
The FVEs are thankful for the assistance saying this will help with their day-to-day expense. They also called on their brothers who are still part of the local terrorist group to go down and return to the fold of law to avail of government assistance and program.
“Malaking tulong ang assistance kasi makakasuporta iyon sa pamilya namin. Masaya rin ang training kasi may matatanggap kami na allowance at certificate na magagamit kung saan kami mag-aapply,” said alias Mim, an FVE from the municipality of Butig.
[The assistance is a big help because it can support our family. We are also happy with the training because we can receive an allowance and certificate that we can use wherever we apply.]
Administered by the Ministry of Interior and Local Government (MILG), TuGoN is BARMM's intervention for those who have chosen to return to the folds of the law.
Each year, Project TuGoN targets 250 former combatants who are officially endorsed by the security sector and with corresponding Joint AFP and PNP Intelligence Committee (JAPIC) certification.
In Lanao del Sur, 56 former members of the DI-MG Maute were already profiled and enrolled in Project TuGoN. (APB/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)
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