Two young, former rebels call on people not to support underground movement

From the Philippine Information Agency (Oct 5, 2020): Two young, former rebels call on people not to support underground movement (By Marcelo M. Pedalino)

BRGY. CATMON, Silago, Southern Leyte, Oct. 5 (PIA) -- Two lady teenagers who are known only as Ka Shane and Ka Emie called on residents attending a recent Serbisyo Caravan here not to give anything to the underground group New People’s Army (NPA), to let them realize they are not supported.

“There are many kinds of support, even giving a small can of sardine, and with that they will come back again and again,” said Ka Shane, speaking in a mix of Waray and Cebuano, as she shared her sad story on being away, separated from her parents.

She also warned the young people in the audience, saying they are the target of recruitment for the revolution to continue, so parents must always monitor the whereabouts of their children, for they might just vanish without a trace.

Ka Emie, for her part, narrated she was promised schooling, but what she learned instead were inputs on threatening their supposed mass base, mostly the uninitiated farmer.

“It’s a hard life out there, nothing to eat, cannot take a bath, sleeping in hammock with biting mosquitoes all around, and we were always walking day and night -- without light during nighttime, it’s so dark,” Ka Emie shared, talking in Waray and Cebuano, too.

In their 10-minute talk each, the two repeatedly expressed a passionate plea for the citizens to make a definite stand, and that is to reject efforts at destabilizing the government.

Aside from the residents of the host barangay, Catmon, people from the neighboring barangays of Katipunan and Imelda also participated the Serbisyo Caravan and Grand Pulong-Pulong, during which they availed free medical and dental services, among others.

About 20 national government agencies, as well as those coming from the province and the municipality, were present, responding to issues raised by the residents in the dialogue.

The activity was initiated by the Municipal Task Force - End Local Communist Armed Conflict (MTF-ELCAC) chaired by town Mayor Pacita Almine.

In her closing remarks, Mayor Almine pointed out that the day-long activity last September 25 was a very clear showing that the government cares for the people by delivering the services due them, and listening to their concerns. (ldl/mmp/PIA-Southern Leyte)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1055077