BUTUAN CITY – Forty-five former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels finished a six-day deradicalization program at the TESDA Provincial Training Center in Barangay Bad-as, Placer, Surigao del Norte on November 11.
FORTY-FIVE former NPA rebels participate in a six-day deradicalization program in Placer, Surigao del Norte. (Photo via Mike U. Crismundo)
The program was conducted by the 30th Infantry (Python) Battalion (30th IB) in collaboration with the 901st Infantry (Fight ‘EM) Brigade from November 6 to 11 and facilitated by select Army personnel, resource speakers from the different partner agencies, religious groups, and highly trained mentors who had occupied high positions in the underground movement.
Capt. Teodulo J. Agustin, civil-military operations (CMO) officer of the 901st Brigade, said one of the emphasis of the training was directed at the psychosocial aspect of the participants such as knowing-the-self and community, sharing of God’s words, building trust, and other team-building activities.
“I personally thank each and every one of you for your willingness and voluntary attendance to undergo this training program that seeks to address the radical indoctrination inculcated to you and the need to transform your attitudes prior to your reintegration into mainstream society,” 30th IB commanding officer Lt. Col. Jerold H. Jale said. “I am sure that you will be able to gain a lot of valuable learning experiences that will guide you in your eventual transformation.”
These former communist rebels were high-value individuals and regular armed members operating in Surigao del Norte and nearby provinces in the Caraga region, Agustin said.
One of the participants, a former high-ranking NPA rebel, apologized for his past actions.
“I was deeply touched and have seen the real me through these activities. I was awakened by all the realities in life and finally realized I had sinned a lot with my fellow human beings by taking their lives and destroying the future of their children,” he said.
“I ask for an apology and forgiveness for what I have done to the government, especially to the members of the AFP, particularly the Philippine Army and the PNP. To my fellow former rebels, I also ask for your forgiveness for I know we are all victims of false ideologies and blinded by the propaganda and lies done by the CTGs, and it is not yet too late for us to take a new beginning, let us all embrace the new chapters of our lives that there is still hope for us to change for the better,” he added.
“I am calling all the remaining members of the NPA to abandon the armed struggle and submit yourselves to the government authorities before it is too late. We are the living testimony contrary to the propaganda of the NPA that once you surrender you will be tortured and killed by the soldiers or the police. The government is very sincere in looking after the welfare of the FRs and provided necessary assistance to us and our families. Join us and let us work together towards peace and prosperity for our families and to our community.”
Col. Arsenio DC Sadural, commander of the 901st Infantry (Fight ‘EM) Brigade and guest of honor and speaker during the closing ceremony on Saturday, stressed the significance of the program.
“This program is for your ultimate freedom by equipping you with the essential things and needed information to guide you towards an orderly and peaceful life for yourself and your families,” he said. “I strongly believe that through this program, it will make a big difference to your lives, to your families and to the community where you would choose to settle in the near future.”