Palawan rebel returnees fulfill dream of freedom in Kalayaan

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 21): Palawan rebel returnees fulfill dream of freedom in Kalayaan

Their only wish was to have their honeymoon in the disputed Kalayaan Islands Group (KIG), the southern Palawan town in the West Philippine Sea that literally means "freedom" in English.

And rebel returnees identified only as Ka Elmer and Ka Kayla will get their wish, after they exchanged vows Sunday at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Puerto Princesa City, their honeymoon is set on the island town heavily contested by six countries.

"Mas maisasakatuparan namin ang pangarap namin na maranasan ang normal na buhay sa kalayaan, at sana nga sa Kalayaan kami makapag-umpisa muli (We will be able to fulfill our hope and dream to experience normal life in freedom, and we pray that we can start anew in Kalayaan)," Ka Elmer said.

Ka Elmer met Ka Kayla at the training camp of the rebel group New People's Army (NPA) three years ago. Sharing a common belief instilled by their recruiters, both were active in the underground movement, having actively participated in insurgent activities.

But their life had a complete turnaround when the couple had their first born.

"Bigla kaming nagkaroon ng realization, ano ang magiging kinabukasan ng anak namin kung ganito kami sabi namin. Lagi kasi kaming nagtatago. Walang kasiguruhan ang buhay. Kaya nang magkaroon ako ng pagkakataon na makipag-usap sa mga sundalo sa area namin sa Roxas, lumapit kami at di naman kami binigo (We had a sudden realization, what will be the future of our child if we are like this, we told ourselves. We always hide. Our life had no definite track. When we had the opportunity to talk to the soldiers in our area in Roxas, we went to them and they did not fail us)," Ka Elmer told the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

62nd Civil Relations Unit Team leader, Army Technical Sergeant Rodrigo A. Sevilla, who was assigned in the area for IPSP activities, accepted the couple and immediately facilitated their surrender along with two others.

"Gusto namin normal lumaki ang anak namin, makapag-aral, maging ehemplong tao sa lipunan, at kami, maging mga simpleng mamamayan (We want our child to grow up in a normal environment, to study, to become a good example in the society, and all of us, to become simple individuals in the community)," Ka Kayla said, on the other hand.

After their wedding, whose primary sponsor is Western Command chief Lt. Gen. Rustico O. Guerrero, the couple will be heading to Kalayaan town in southern Palawan to lead a peaceful and progressive life next week.

Guerrero expressed optimism that Ka Elmer and Ka Kayla can start anew in Kalayaan, a municipality under the Philippine claim.

“The fact that they went back to government folds means there is nothing in the NPA that is attractive for them to stay to have a normal family. In Kalayaan, they can build new hopes and dreams for their families,” he said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=578470