Mental rehabilitation of ex-rebels is essential in the reintegration process

MANILA – Taking care of the mental health of former rebels is essential for their reintegration into society, said a defense official.

“In addition to deradicalization, psychosocial assistance is also an integral part of our former rebels to be able to start their lives again. We want them to also live a life of optimal mental health and general well-being, ”Under Secretary of Defense and Task Force Balik-Loob President Reynaldo Mapagu said Thursday evening in a statement. communicated.

Mapagu’s remarks came after the Philippine Army’s 53rd Infantry Battalion and JH Cerilles State College signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOA) for a mental rehabilitation project for the FR dubbed “Project Good Life.” .

The signing of the MOA took place at the headquarters of the 53rd Infantry Battalion (53IB) at Camp Major David Sabido, Guipos, Zamboanga del Sur on May 28.

“I applaud the recent Project Good Life from the 53rd Infantry Battalion and JH Cerilles State College (JHCSC). The psychoeducation program will be of great help for the reintegration of former rebels, or rather ‘saved friends’ into our society, ”said Mapagu, who is also the head of the E-CLIP group and amnesty program ( EAP) of the National Working Group to End Local Communist Armed Conflicts (NTF ELCAC).

“Project Good Life” is a psychoeducation program for former rebels who surrendered to the 53rd Infantry Battalion which carries the theme “Threading the Path to Achievement and Genuine Happiness with the FR (Rescued Friends)”.

The project takes a holistic approach to improving the mental health and general well-being of RFs, as well as addressing their other rehabilitation needs.

Mapagu praised the unit’s intervention program with the JHCSC and praised its unwavering support for Executive Decree No. 70 and its continued efforts for the national approach to end the local communist armed conflict in the country.

He added that “Project Good Life” is a fine example of the government’s pan-national approach to ending the communist insurgency in the country.

“This clearly shows that we can all be united to achieve the peace we deserve,” he said. (ANP)