The Returnees’ Portfolio (Pt. 2)

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 22, 2020): The Returnees’ Portfolio (By Olive P. Tiu)

(Second of a Series)

Alyas Ka Fina, Ka Genia

Alyas Ka Fina, Ka Genia, 62 years old, was one of the informal settlers at the Larrazabal property in Taglawigan, San Isidro, Leyte.

“Ginamit ng mga NPA ang issue namin sa lupa. Inagitate kami para makilaban para maging sa amin ang lupa.”

“They made us believe na pinabayaan kami ng gobyerno sa maraming taon.”

Ka Genia said she and her fellow informal settlers were organized as farmers and fisherfolks organization by the “left” for funding purposes. Some of the funded projects were not down loaded to them. She said her parents were former farmer leaders.

The NPA kept on coming back until the informal settlers became their contacts in the area.

Ka Genia said she worked in the white area, organizing rallies, soliciting support, recruiting more NPA members.

She was only 15 years old, 2nd year High School then. She became an educator for farmers during the time of the federation of free farmers.

Ka Genia is a college graduate.

Enlightened, Ka Genia joined the mass surrender of more than 1000 regular NPA members and Militia ng Bayan on April 13, 2019.

Ka Genia and the other surrenderees were helped by the government. They were given financial support.

However, by virtue of a court order, the farmers/surfacing rebels have to vacate the land.

“Dito namin nakita na sincere ang gobyerno na kami ay tulungan,” Ka Genia said.

Governor Leopoldo Dominico "Mic" Petilla was quick to come to the rescue by offering the government lot at Sitio Limite, Barangay Daja Daku, San Isidro, Leyte for the displaced farmers/surfacing rebels, teaching them the rudiments of MIC compact farming.

Ka Genia is now the leader of the Taglawigan Farmers Assiciation. Her husband, who according to her, was not an NPA member, now works at LGU San Isidro.

She said she will not allow her five children to join the NPA. “Mahirap,” Ka Genia said with a tear in her eyes. Her three children are married while the other two are working in Cebu.

Ka Genia is included in the 262 regular NPA members ang Militia ng Bayan who were enrolled in the E-CLIP, whose benefits will be handed to them by no less than President Duterte.

She is now excited at the prospect of personally seeing President Duterte and at the prospect of having a picture taken with him.

To the others who have not come back to the folds of the law, Ka Genia said, “Sana makapag-isip-isip sila na bumaba na rin sila, para maranasan din nila ang katahimikan at kapanatagan na nararanasan na namin ngayon.”

“Never again must we allow the CPP-NPA to exploit us,” Ka Genia said. (opt/PIA-8)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1033255