MANILA, Oct. 3 -- The New Zealand government has committed PHP175 million in grant funding to strengthen ongoing efforts at preventing violent extremism in the Philippines.

In a statement on Friday, the New Zealand Embassy in Manila said the assistance will be coursed through the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF), which has been providing comprehensive support to several peace organizations in the country.

The new grant will focus on community-based rehabilitation programs for individuals returning from violent extremist groups, as well as victims of such groups and their families.

Areas of support will include access to mental health support services; access to economic opportunities for people from vulnerable or...