LANDBANK'S DEDICATION TO FORMER REBEL FAMILIES THROUGH LOAN SUPPORT. LandBank Assistant Vice President Danilo D. Crobalde spoke about the significance of the Balik-Loob Lending Program, emphasizing LandBank’s dedication to supporting former rebels and their families through providing loans for their desired livelihood. (Photo by TFBL Strategic Communications)

A TESTAMENT TO DAVAO CITY'S PROGRESS SINCE ITS DECLARATION OF BEING INSURGENCY-FREE: 100 former rebels participated in the two-day People’s Organization Summit and Capacity Training organized by Task Force Balik-Loob led by Chairperson and Defense Undersecretary Angelito M. De Leon at Brgy. Mahayag, Bunawan District, Davao City from Aug. 29-30,2024.

TFBL Chairperson and Defense Undersecretary Angelito M. De Leon graced the opening ceremony of the People’s Organization Summit and Capacity Training for Former Rebels at the PCSD Palawan Sustainable Development Training Institute from July 30 - 31, 2024.

COLLABORATE, STRENGTHEN MONITORING AND EVALUATION MECHANISMS: TFBL Chairperson and Defense Undersecretary Angelito M. De Leon encouraged the government agencies to collaborate, and strengthen their monitoring and evaluation mechanisms in fulfilling Task Force Balik-Loob’s (TFBL) success mission to deliver its services to former rebels (FRs).

Lawyer turned social welfare exec Erickson C. Luz encourages former rebels to “trust the government, trust the system,” in a radio interview with AFP’s Katropa Radio. He now heads the Peace and Development Buong Bansa Mapayapa Program - National Program Management Office (PDBBM-NPMO) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

SUMMIT FOR FORMER REBELS HIGHLIGHTS LIVELIHOOD OPPORTUNITIES: Fifty former rebels who formed the Sambayanan Cagayan Valley Agricultural Cooperative were given comprehensive training on cooperative management principles, marking a significant step towards their reintegration and sustainable livelihood development during the People's Organization Summit and Cooperative Capacity Training on June 13-14, 2024.

National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) Director Arnulfo G. Bajarin appealed to current rebels to stop the recruitment of fellow Filipinos for armed groups and encouraged them instead to surrender and avail of benefits from the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) and amnesty being offered by the government.

Undersecretary Angelito M. De Leon, Chairperson of the Task Force Balik-Loob (TFBL), outlined future opportunities for former rebels (FRs) and former violent extremists (FVEs) during the roadmapping Workshop of the E-CLIP and Amnesty Program (EAP) Cluster held on April 12, 2024, at Camp Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

BAYANIHAN SPIRIT IN ACTION: People’s Advocacy for Collaboration and Empowerment, Inc. (PeaCE) and various units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) come together to aid former rebels in Davao Oriental, who were affected by recent landslides.

THE POWER OF COLLABORATION FOR PEACE AND PROGRESS: TFBL Chairperson and Defense Undersecretary Angelito M. De Leon reiterated that collaborative efforts can truly make a positive impact on the lives of countrymen who choose the path of peace and transformation.

THE NEXUS OF POVERTY AND INSURGENCY: Having previously championed labor rights and often collaborating with different communities influenced by communism, DSWD’s Undersecretary Alan A. Tanjusay acknowledges that beyond ideological differences, the primary motivator behind individuals turning to insurgency is poverty. The lack of opportunities makes them susceptible to the enticements of communist terrorist groups.