After 13 long years of fighting the government, a Communist New People’s Army Terrorist (CNT) abandoned the ideology he lived with and decided to return to the folds of the law and to his family.
Alias REY, 29 years of age surrendered to the 23rd Infantry “Masigasig” Battalion on Sunday evening, August 16, 2020 at the battalion’s headquarters in Jamboree Site, Barangay Alubihid, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte.
Another CNT member, alias GRACE, 28, also joined alias REY during the surrender. The two are regular members of Squad Dos, Sub-Regional Sentro de Grabidad (SRSDG) SAGAY, Sub-Regional Committee 3 of North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) of the CNTs. They also handed over to the 23IB one (1) M4 rifle (Colt) and one (1) M16A1 rifle (ELISCO) which are all serviceable.
In his testimony, alias REY said he was recruited by the CNTs when he was at the young age of 16 in 2006. He said he was convinced when the CNT recruiters promised him and his family of good life as long as he would join the movement to topple the government. Unfortunately, no good things came but hardships, including on his family he left behind.
“Ang akong basehan nganong nibalik ko sa sabakan sa balaod mao ang grabeng kalisod nga akong natagamtaman dugangan pa sa tumang ka gutom ug kamingaw sa akong pamilya. Mag sige ra me ug lakaw-lakaw ug tago-tago sa kabukiran ug wala koy nakita nga kadaugan sa maong grupo. Wala usab milambo ang among kinabuhi ug gani mas samot pa nga naglisod ang among pamilya,” alias REY said.
While inside the movement, tight restrictions were imposed by their leaders to them, he said. Even the communication with their families were limited such that constant contacts outside would lead to suspicions by their leaders.
“Nakita usab nako nga wala me kagawasan sulod sa rebolusyonaryong kalihukan. Limitado kayo ang among mga lihok bisan ang pag contact sa among mga pamilya. Kung magsigi ka og tawag sa gawas pagadudahan ka sa mga lider. Tungod niini gibati kami og kakuyaw ug walay kasegurohan,” alias REY said.
He also emphasized that they already heard about the program of the government being offered to rebels who want to surrender. But their leaders discouraged them saying that once they go out and present themselves to the Army, they would be tortured and killed. He added that CNT leaders would also threaten them if they would try to escape and surrender to authorities. As the campaigns for government support continue to reach them through radio and other means of communications, he said they eventually managed to leave the group and voluntarily surrendered to the Army.
“Base sa akong mga nakahinabi nga pipila ka mga tawo ug pinaagi sa komonikasyon sa radyo nga perme nakong madungog nga adunay gihatag nga kaayuhan ang gobyerno para niadtong mga naglihok gikan sa bukid sa panahon nga mo balik na sa sabakan sa balaod. Kanunay nakong madungog nga adunay ihatag nga malahutayong panginabuhian ug mga ayuda sama sa tabang pinansyal ilawom sa E-CLIP (Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program) ug mutabang ang panggagamhanan sa probinsya sa Agusan del Norte labi na si Congresswoman Matba (Rep. Maria Angelica Amante-Matba) busa nga kadugayan nakombensi gyod ko nga mobiya na sa kalihukan,” Alias REY said.
Lt. Col. Julius Cesar C. Paulo, Acting Commander, 23IB warmly welcomed alias REY and alias GRACE on Sunday as he recognized their sincerity of returning to the folds of the law and assures them to be enrolled in the E-CLIP.
“Similar with the testaments of other surrenderees, these CNT members decided to go back to the folds of the law due to too much hunger and unbearable hardship they experienced inside the armed movement. This only means that their leaders, since from the start, lied to them with their false promises of providing them better lives including their families once they will join the revolutionary movement,” Paulo said.
He also expressed gladness over the realizations that the two former rebels (FRs) reached that led them to decide to lay down their arms.
“In return, we will also do our part as we promised to give them a new hope and brighter future. We will assist them to be enrolled in the E-CLIP so that they can avail all the benefits and assistance offered by our government. We will also tap the other line agencies of the government to open sustainable livelihood programs for the FRs to help them live peacefully and normally with their families,” Paulo said.
He also encouraged the remaining members of the CNTs in Agusan del Norte to follow the decision of the FRs who are now living peacefully with their families.
“For the remaining members of the CNTs, I urge you to open your eyes from the deception of CNT leaders, leave armed struggle and go back to the folds of the law and to your families. Let us help one another in ending insurgency so that everyone can have the chance to live peacefully and progressively,” Paulo said. (23IB | RPN DXKS Surigao)
