CAMP BANCASI, Butuan City – Former members of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) who have surrendered to the government turned to farming so they can grow their own food.

The former rebels joined members of the CAFGU Active Auxiliary (CAA) and People’s Organizations (POs) in a two-day Diversified Farming System training spearheaded by the troops of the 29^th Infantry (Matatag Fighters) Battalion (29^th IB) in partnership with the city government of Cabadbaran at the headquarters of the 29^th IB, Barangay Del Pilar, Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte.

“This Diversified Farming System training is fully supported by the city officials of Cabadbaran led by Mayor Judy Chin Amante,” 29^th IB Civil Military Operations (CMO) officer Capt. Miguel O. Borromeo told The Manila Bulletin on Wednesday.

Initially, 20 former NPAs, 10 CAAs and 10 POs participated in the training held on Aug. 6-7, 2020.

The said training covered swine and goat production and management, supplemented by lectures and practical exercises about JADAM organic farming. 

“Those who benefited from the training were previously organized by the Matatag fighters,” Borromeo said. 

After the training, the participant received various vegetable seed packs.

“I am grateful for this opportunity where we learned a lot of new things which will be of use to the company, my family and myself. This training is indeed very worthwhile for all of us especially in this time of the pandemic,“ former NPA member “Ka Nora” said.

“Indeed I am grateful not just for this successful training but most of all, for the continued partnership of the Army with various agencies of the government especially the Agriculture Office. We could not have accomplished such things without your help,” Lt. Col. Isagani O. Criste, 29^th IB commander, said.

“I hope all of us will see and realize that the government is doing its best to serve the people, so each of us might as well try our best to do our part,” Criste added.