(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte met on Wednesday over 200 New People’s Army (NPA) rebel returnees in Malacañang.
The 215 former rebels welcomed by the President were the first batch of the 683 NPA returnees lined up by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to tour Manila.
The President said in his speech that the former NPA rebels made a good decision to return to the fold of the law instead of fighting and dying for communism which according to him, is a flawed cause and no longer relevant.
He cited as examples former communist powers like the Soviet Union and China that embraced capitalism and became successful.
He said he would send female former rebels to Hong Kong and China so they could have a grasp of the success of capitalism, and so that the ideology upheld by Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria Sison could be countered.
Employment for rebel returnees
President Duterte stressed that it is not too late for the former guerrillas to improve their lives.
He advised them to acquire skills being offered in Technical Education Skills Development Authority courses such as dressmaking for women and carpentry, and plumbing and electrical skills for men, among others.
He said they could also seize the opportunity to have decent jobs in the massive infrastructure programs during his administration which will require a lot of skilled workers.
He added that the government was also encouraging outside investments, particularly from China, for jobs to be created locally.
He also vowed to prioritize agricultural development in Mindanao especially in the communities where the former rebels are located, stressing the region’s potential for agricultural productivity.
Security, education for rebel returnees
The President also promised their children free education, and encouraged the bright ones to apply for government scholarships, noting his willingness to send them to top universities in the country.
He also promised to provide them security, which is a major concern of the rebel returnees.
After meeting with the President and a tour in the Palace, the former rebels visited Rizal Park and Intramuros as part of their historical and heritage trip.
The AFP said the goal of the tours is to expose the former rebels to a better perspective in life particularly in advocating peace and nationalism.