PA 501st B leads integration, livelihood fair in Former Rebels Summit
By: Nonnette C. Bennett with reports from PIA Abra
BANGUED, Abra — An integration and livelihood fair saw more 114 former rebels attend the Philippine Army 501st Brigade organized Former Rebels Summit tagged as “Balik-Loob Livelihood and Integration Fair” at the Abra Capitol last 28 October 2025.
This is among the continuing efforts of the military to sustain peace through community-based initiatives through various programs with the government agencies.
During the summit, agencies including the Office of Presidential Adviser for Peace, Reconciliation and Unit (OPAPRU), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), the Provincial Government of Abra, and the National Amnesty Commission, with Concerned Citizens of Abra for Good Governance, presented the various livelihood and re-integration programs available for the former rebels who expressed their concerns during the dialogue.
Consultant Fr. Adonis Bringas of the OPAPRU Localized Peace Engagement and FR Transformation Program urged the FRs to re-establish their trust in the government and society by airing their concerns.
“Kayat mi kas ahensia ti gobierno ti tumulong kadakayo. Ngem kayat mi met nga tulonganyo ti bagbagiyo. Daytoy nga kallaong ket saan laeng nga panangipakita dagiti programa ti gobierno nu ketdi pakinabangan saan laeng a dagiti former rebel, ketdi agraman ti pamiliana ket ti community,” Bringas emphasized.
(Government agencies like to help you but we also want you to help yourselves. This summit is not only about presenting the programs of the government but also for you to benefit from them including your family and the community.]
‘Onita,’ a rebel returnee from Gacab, Malibcong expressed appreciation for the FR summit, saying that they were made aware of the benefits they can avail of when they return to the communities.
“Dakkel unay nga tulong para kadakami nga rebel returnees ditoy Abra tapnu maamoan mi nu kasatnu mi nga ma-avail dagitoy nga programa ket kasta metten nu kasatnu kami nga makatulong kadagiti kakailian ditoy Abra nangruna kadagiti saan pay nga bimmaba,” she expressed.
(This is a big help to us, rebel returnees, because we now know the programs we can avail, and likewise on how we can be of help to our province-mates, especially those who have not yet returned to the folds of law.)
Onita also encouraged her left leaning companions to return to society to enjoy their family lives.
“Kakabsat nga adda pay nabati dita banbantay, makita yo nga adda programa ti gobierno kadakayo. Agbalik-loob kayo kas kadakami tapnu makadwayo dagiti pamiliayo,” she stated.
(Our brethren who are still in the mountains, you can see that there are social programs for you. Come back like us so that you can be with your family now).
The Former Rebel Summit was conducted as part of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict. With reports from Christian Allister G. Tubadeza, PIA Abra
