CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Two former New People’s Army rebels in Mindanao – “Caloy” and “Tax” – warned the youth against joining the armed struggle in their message on Independence Day.
CALOY, a former NPA rebel, speaks during the 2nd Anti-Criminality Operation through Recorida and Dialogue Approach Variety Show in celebration of the 125th anniversary of Philippine independence at Kiosko Kagawasan, Divisoria, Cagayan de Oro City on Monday, June 12. (Screengrab from Bombo Radyo video on Facebook)
Caloy, a communist guerrilla for 11 years in Mindanao, urged the youth not to be persuaded by the convincing words of NPA recruiters, as the organization’s aim, he said, is to put the government in a bad light.
"Ang imong huna-huna, kung unsaon nimo makabiya sa kadena nga gigapos sa imoha; dili ka makabiya kung dili ka magplano (In your mind (you are thinking), how can you get away from the chains that bind you; you’ll not be able to get away if you don’t create a plan)," Caloy said during program led by the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office in Kiosko Kagawasan, Divisoria, this city.
He recalled that he was forced to settle on a piece of root crop as his meal from breakfast to dinner, waking up in the middle of the night to transfer locations due to the possible appearance of the military, and the hardships of non-stop walking.
Caloy was recruited and joined the NPA in 2011. He previously belonged to the Mount Kitanglad sub-regional command of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee and started in the white area operation in Cagayan de Oro. He surrendered to the government in 2022.
The Mount Kitanglad sub-regional command was responsible for the series of attacks against multinational companies Del Monte Philippines and Dole Stanfilco in Bukidnon in 2013 as confirmed by the North Central Mindanao Regional Command in a press release issued on Feb. 20, 2013.
The series of attacks, according to the NPA, served as sanctions against these companies for providing a hard time to workers, farmers, and indigenous people, as well as destroying the environment.
Caloy said his family was affected after joining the communist organization and said that he has no information on the whereabouts of his siblings up to this date.
"Dili na magkontakay sa ako mga igsuon sa dugay nga panahon, sa onse ka tuig nga pag sakripisyo (We weren’t able to communicate with my siblings for a long time, 11 years of sacrifice)," he added.
TAX, a former NPA rebel, speaks during the 2nd Anti-Criminality Operation through Recorida and Dialogue Approach Variety Show in celebration of the 125th anniversary of Philippine independence at Kiosko Kagawasan, Divisoria, Cagayan de Oro City on Monday, June 12. (Screengrab from Bombo Radyo video on Facebook)
Tax echoed the statement of Caloy and urged the youth not to join the NPA to avoid the struggles they suffered.
"Tuig ko kapin naglihok, apan wala gayud koy nakuha nga kaayohan. Bisan unsa amo gihangyo. Bisan tsinelas dili gani mi matagaan. Magtiniil na lang gani mi hangtod nga mangapanit among mga tiil (I joined the movement for over a year, but I did not get anything good. We had various requests. But even slippers they were unable to provide. We were just barefooted until our feet pilled)," Tax said.
Major Francisco Garello, spokesperson of the Philippine Army 4th Infantry Division, said 228 NPA members surrendered in 2022 while 126 have surrendered from January to present.