40 children of ex-rebels, CAFGU members get aid in Samar

Forty student dependents of former rebels and CAFGU Active Auxiliaries (CAAs) received P6,000 each in educational assistance under the government's Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program in Catbalogan City, Samar.

The Philippine Army reported Wednesday, 21 October, that the distribution was held on 12 and 13 October at Tandaya Hall, with beneficiaries receiving a combined P240,000.

The initiative was facilitated by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and youth organization Sirak Kabataan, with support from the Army's 8th Infantry Division.

The assistance aims to help students cover school expenses, transportation, accommodation and other daily needs.

Among the beneficiaries was Efren Cagomoc, 25, a student at Samar College who said the financial assistance would help his family support the education of his 10 siblings.

“Malaking pasasalamat ko po na naging kabilang po ako sa mga mag-aaral na nakatanggap ng ganitong benepisyo. Napakalaking tulong po ito sa amin,” Cagomoc said.

He explained that his parents' income was insufficient to cover the educational expenses of all their children, making the assistance valuable for his allowance, boarding house fees and meals.

Cagomoc also encouraged fellow students to prioritize their education and exercise caution against recruitment by armed groups.

The 8th Infantry Division urged beneficiaries to use the assistance responsibly and emphasized the importance of education in helping financially vulnerable families.

The Army also encouraged remaining members of communist armed groups to abandon violence and avail themselves of government reintegration programs.