Cops build house for ex-NPA rebel

BACOLOD CITY – The 1st Negros Occidental Provincial Mobile Force Company (Nocpmfc) turned over a newly constructed house to a former member of the New People’s Army (NPA) in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental on Monday, November 13.

POLICE Lt. Col. Edison Garcia (second from right), commander of the 1st Negros Occidental Provincial Mobile Force Company (Nocpmfc), turns over a newly built house to a former member of the New People’s Army (NPA) under the ‘Pag-ulikid: Compassion with Action’s BAHAYnihan’ housing program in San Carlos City on Monday, November 13. (Photo courtesy of 1st Nocpmfc)

Police Lt. Col. Edison Garcia, 1st Nocpmfc commander, said the house was completed in three days through the help of the community. It is situated a few meters away from his previous house, Garcia added.

Garcia said they chose the former NPA rebel as the beneficiary of the housing project dubbed “Pag-ulikid: Compassion with Action’s BAHAYnihan” because of his situation.

He said the project is a program for former NPA rebels who are not qualified to avail of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) and those in vulnerable communities, isolated areas, and indigenous people.

This initiative has five clusters – pabahay (housing), health, education, livelihood training, and food subsidy.

Garcia said the project aims to replicate the true spirit of camaraderie and esprit de corps among the members of the community and the personnel of the 2nd Maneuver Platoon, 1st Nocpmfc.

“Helping one another is a contagious practice which is a good practice,” Garcia said.

A food subsidy was given to the former rebel and some residents who helped in the construction of the house.

Early this year, the police force also built a house and provided livelihood for a fisherfolk in Victorias City, Negros Occidental.