THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is setting up a peace and development regional office in Regions IX (Zamboanga Peninsula), XI (Davao) and XII (Soccsksargen) to better assist and attend to the needs of former rebels, extremists and even Abu Sayyaf members returning to the folds of society.
DSWD Undersecretary Alan Tanjusay, in a briefing, said the three offices to be set up in Mindanao will be the first one and the department would eventually set up similar offices in the Visayas and Luzon.
Tanjusay said they chose to establish the new offices in Mindanao first because there are many rebel forces and private armed groups in the region. He said the local government units (LGUs) are also very active in the peace initiatives.
He recalled that there were instances when former rebels or members of armed groups would show up during the DSWD’s payout and distribution of aid and would inquire if they too could avail of the program.
He said 80 to 100 percent of the people who join the ASG, for instance, were driven by poverty.
Tanjusay said 384 ASG members surrendered yesterday, in addition to the 713 former ASG members who surrendered last week. He said they are mostly from Sulu, Basilan and Tawi-Tawi.
He expressed confidence that the armed struggle, especially in Mindanao, would soon end.
“Yes, I can say in full confidence that it is near, the armed movement in the country is nearing its end. That paradigm is already over and I can see that there is no more chance for an armed struggle,” he added.