MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon — December 22, 2025 — In a significant boost to the government’s peace and reintegration efforts, the 89th Infantry (Makatao) Battalion successfully facilitated the ceremonial turnover of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)–administered Package Assistance for Former Rebels (FRs) at the DILG Provincial Office in Malaybalay City.
The activity, led by DILG Bukidnon Provincial Director Dr. Rhona P. Abadilla and supported by the 89IB under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Antonio G. Bulao I, underscored the state’s continuing commitment to reconciliation and sustainable peace. Four former rebels—now referred to as “Friends Rescued” and currently under the care and supervision of the 89IB—each received ₱65,000 in livelihood and financial assistance, amounting to a total of ₱260,000. The aid is intended to help beneficiaries restart their lives and transition fully into peaceful civilian society.
Strengthening the support, the Provincial Government of Bukidnon, led by Governor Rogelio Neil P. Roque, provided additional assistance in the form of five food packages for each beneficiary, reinforcing the province’s holistic and compassionate approach to peacebuilding and social protection.
Officials said the assistance goes beyond financial aid, serving as a concrete expression of the government’s whole-of-nation approach to ending local armed conflict. Through close coordination among the DILG, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the provincial government, the program aims to address both the immediate and long-term needs of former armed group members, encouraging them to abandon violence and embrace lawful, productive, and peaceful lives. The 89th Infantry Battalion reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining peace and development in Bukidnon, emphasizing that strong inter-agency collaboration remains crucial in building lasting stability in conflict-affected communities.