TACLOBAN CITY - A high-ranking CPP-NPA-Terrorists (CNTs) has expressed he has no regrets leaving the armed struggle.
Known only as ‘Dori’ which is his alias, this ex-rebel cited many reasons why he, along with seven others, opted to leave the movement, and this includes his longing to rejoin his family which he said he has not seen for the past 15 years.
“We do not regret our decision to surrender to the government, rather we are happy,” said Dori. “First, we no longer have to hide and we will no longer hesitate to help other people. And, I can now be with my family whom I have never been with for 15 years.”
Dori, the Organization Department Secretary of the Guerilla Front Damol, which operates in the areas of Pinabacdao and Villareal towns in Samar province, expressed optimism that the government’s assistance could improve their way of living.
Dori and seven other high-ranking CNTs attended the Local Peace Engagement Panel and Peace Builder Group dialogue at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) provincial office in Catbalogan City on Monday.
The dialogue was meant to assess the situation and concerns of those who recently surrendered. Also discussed in the dialogue was the assistance that government agencies can provide to former rebels.
Dori has expressed his gratitude for all the government’s efforts, especially in helping them. At the same time, he is calling on his former comrades to surrender as well.
“To my brothers and sisters in arms who are still in the organization (Communist Terrorist Groups), just cooperate and stop running so that we can take care and help your family. I can assure that I can help them," he said.
He said that he does not want to die in the armed struggle because of the wrong ideology.