A married couple who recently surrendered after serving in a communist rebel unit received cash and aid from local authorities in Paranas, Samar, military officials said Monday.

The couple, identified by the military by their aliases Bigo and Aga, were remnants of the dismantled Sub-Regional Committee Sesame under the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee.

They were formally presented by the Army’s 63rd Infantry Battalion and 46th Infantry Battalion to the Municipal Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict on 5 August.

During the turnover, the couple received P30,000 in cash assistance, grocery packs, and a sack of rice to aid their transition to civilian life.

The Paranas municipal government also committed to providing livelihood training, assistance with civil registration, family reunification support and other social interventions.

Military officials said the assistance demonstrates the government’s commitment to providing former insurgents with viable paths to start over.

“This demonstrates that there is a better future beyond armed struggle,” the Army’s 8th Infantry Division said in a statement.

“While the remnants of the CTG continue to live in uncertainty... those who choose peace gain access to government programs, legal protection, livelihood opportunities, and the chance to reunite with their loved ones,” it added.

Army officials reaffirmed plans to work alongside local government units to sustain reintegration programs in the region.