A total of 17 Former High Ranking NPA Leaders and members of the Communist Party of the Philippines completed the Primerong Kurso sa Pagbag-ong Kinabuhi Level 3 (PKPK-3) Class 1-2020 at Camp Osito Bahian, Malaybalay City this morning.
Six of the Former Rebels (FRs) are from Misamis Oriental, while the remaining 11 are from Bukidnon. Resylyn Pardo a.k.a Jamby, Guerilla Front 6 (GF6) Secretary from South Bukidnon compose the group that also include Political Instructors, Squad Leaders, Platoon Medic, and Commanding Officer of Front Operational Command.
The PKPK-3 is the first part of the mainstreaming process for FRs. They will then be enrolled Halfway Houses managed by Provincial and Highly Urbanized Cities where they will undergo further trainings and capacity building before they receive the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP).
“We believe on the kindness of their hearts before they were radicalized by the Communist Party of the Philippines thru New People’s Army” said Cpt Ryan Layug, Course Director of PKPK3 and former spokesman of 403rd Bde in Bukidnon.
“Their innocence were abused, they were made to believe that bearing arms and fighting the government is the way to achieve their means” Layug added.
PKPK-3 according to 403rd Bde aims to slowly return the FRs to their old self as loving children and God centered individuals.
Layug narrated that prior to Valentine’s Day, married ladies confessed to lady facilitators to have never experienced being given flowers, being serenaded and danced as NPA do not allow open expression of love including holding hands. It was indeed a very romantic night when 403rd Bde personnel prepared a simple V-Day celebration. Ladies were surprised by their husbands with flowers and sweet dance while being serenaded by singing soldiers.
PKPK-3 started on February 5 and ended this morning. During the 17-day course, participants and couples were also made to experience driving farm tractor as they are introduced to high-value crop production.
Resylyn Pardo during the closing ceremony on her impression said “duha ang ako gibati ron, kalipay ug kamingaw. Kalipay kay tungod nailhan nako ug nailaila ang mga tinood nga sundalo nga gabuwis sa ilang kinabuhi para sa katawhan ug nabati nako ang tinood nga kagawasan. Kamingaw kay tungod nanibag-o ko sa akong pang adlaw adlaw nga routine, pero gusto nako nga mahimong ingonani na ang akong kinabuhi (I have dual emotions at the moment, hapiness and loneliness. Hapiness as I have finally met real soldiers that risk their lives for our people and that I have finally felt the real freedom. Loneliness as I felt strange on my daily routine, but I wanted this to continue in my life)”.
Col Ferdinand Barandon, the invited Keynote Speaker and newly installed Commander of 403rd Bde covering Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, CDO and Bukidnon reserved his tears of joy as he said the occassion are meant to be joyfull in celebration of renewed life.
“I was then a young Company Commander that covers San Fernando, Bukidnon. Seeing you today after almost three decades and hearing your messages longing to live a peaceful life with your family melts my heart, it is filled of gratitude that you have finally returned home” Col Barandon said during the Closing Ceremony of PKPK 3.
Barandon also thanked the FR Facilitators (PEACE and Kauban sa Kalamaw), Youth Facilitators (POINTY Bukidnon) and Soldier Facilitators (403Bde, 58IB, 8IB & 88IB) for their efforts and deligence for the past 17 days.
“If there is anyone else that wanted peace foremost, it is soldiers. They are directly affected by conflict but it is our duty to protect our people from peace spoilers. We will continue to win peace here in Bukidnon, CDO and Misamis Oriental” Barandon concluded.
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