By Perla G. Lena Around 25 members of the New People's Army (NPA) decided to return to the fold of the law and avail of the Social Integration Program (SIP) which is being implemented by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP). M/Gen Vicente Porto of the 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division of the Philippine Army (PA) said that the 25 rebels decided to give up their armed struggle in the mountainous portions of Panay and avail of the benefits that go with the SIP. Porto said that on Wednesday, the returnees will receive their initial benefit at the Municipality of Calinog, Iloilo. They are entitled to P20,000 financial aid and an additional P50,000 if they surrender their firearms. They can also avail of additional P50,000 worth of livelihood assistance if they intend to establish a project. "They will undergo a training first before they will be provided with the support," he added. Meanwhile, Brigadier General Gerardo T. Layug of the 30
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