ISABELA CITY, Basilan Aug 4 (PIA) – The first batch composed of 53 former Abu Sayyaf (ASG) rebels completed the 3-day Agri-Livelihood training held at the 64th Infantry Battalion, Tumahubong, Sumisip.

These trainees also received farm tools, fertilizer sprayers, and vegetables seeds.

“Ang pagbabago ay nandito. Noon, hindi namin nakikita ang pagbabago. Ngayon nakikita na namin ang suporta ng Philippine Government sa amin. At nakikita yun ng mga tao," Muril Wiril, ASG surrenderee from Baywas, Sumisip said.

The Advancing and Sustaining Good Governance and Community Actions towards Resiliency and Empowerment (AS2GCARE) under the Program Against Violent Extremism (PAVE) is now pursuing the AGRILIVELIHOOD program for ASG returnees, dubbed as “Lupa para sa tao, Tao para sa lupa” in support of the provincial government’s advocacy.