PEACEFUL CHRISTMAS. Baby (left) and Jeffrey, former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA), say a peaceful life and mind is the greatest gift one can have this Christmas, during an interview on Tuesday (Dec. 17, 2019). It will be Baby's and Jeffrey's first year to celebrate Christmas with their loved ones after spending years in the armed struggle. (PNA photo by Gail Momblan)
Former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in Panay cannot ask for more this Christmas as they have already received the present they have been longing for in years.
"The greatest Christmas gift a person can receive does not come in adorned packages because it can only be attained within oneself," 26-year-old Jeffrey, who requested not to use his last name, said on Tuesday.
Speaking in Tagalog, Jeffrey told the Philippine News Agency (PNA): “I am already at peace and I will celebrate Christmas with that gift."
Jeffrey served as the finance and logistics officer of the Sibat Platoon, Southern Front, Komiteng Rehiyon Panay of the CPP-NPA. Having been recruited by the rebel group at 23 years old, Jeffrey said he used his knowledge and time in managing the rebels’ resources.
“We ask people for food or money, and I am the one who budgets our resources,” he said.
Life in the armed struggle has hindered Jeffrey from celebrating special days, including Christmases and birthdays.
While families and friends gather, exchanging gifts, eating their holiday feast, Jeffrey was in the mountains of Panay, wishing to also spend the special occasion with loved ones.
“They do not have Christmas there in the mountains. We spend it like just a normal day, wandering the mountains and looking for food. Every Christmas eve, I just cherished the moments I was with my family,” he said.
It is one of the reasons, he said, that he decided to finally leave the armed struggle and be together with his loved ones.
Jeffrey surrendered to the Philippine Army’s 61st Infantry Batallion (61IB) in July this year. “I heard about the government’s programs for rebel returnees over the radio. I thought about it for a long time and finally decided to abandon the armed struggle. I want to live my life in peace, without enemies, and without anger,” he said.
Jeffrey shared his family was delighted to be freed from the mistaken doctrines of the rebels. “This Christmas, even if we do not have food preparation, we will still be happy. The most important thing in life is living in peace with your family,” he said.
Christmas will also be merrier this year for Baby, 33, a former political guide and medical officer of Squad 2, Suyak Platoon, Southern Front, Komiteng Rehiyon-Panay for five years.
She also surrendered to the Philippine Army’s 61IB in July.
Like Jeffrey, Baby said the greatest present one can receive this Christmas is freedom from any anger and enemies.
“You can give yourself the greatest gift not just this Christmas, but every day. One can attain peace through the decision he or she makes,” Baby told the PNA.
She said abandoning the wrong doctrines of the CPP-NPA is abandoning hunger, hardship, and constant fear for her life.
She recalled being in the armed movement and spending the special days away from her family. The Suyak Platoon, she said, celebrates Christmas but it was incomparable to the one she spent outside the rebel group.
“They also have fun when it is Christmas but for me, I remember my family, having a simple gathering over a table of food on special occasions,” she said.
Outside the CPP-NPA, Baby said she can have decent work and be able to support her family.
“I am glad that the government has programs to reintegrate rebel surrenderers like me back in the society,” she said.
Jeffrey and Baby both received immediate financial and livelihood assistance from their respective local government units (LGUs) after they surrendered.
The assistance from the LGUs are on top of the benefits they will soon be receiving under the government's Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-Clip), as their enrolment is currently being processed.
Lt. Col. Joel Benedict Batara, 61st IB commander, urged other members of the CPP-NPA to also return to the government fold.
“For so long a time, you (rebels) were away from your loved ones during Christmas. This is now the opportunity to abandon the armed struggle and spend the special days in your life with your families,” he said.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1088918
"The greatest Christmas gift a person can receive does not come in adorned packages because it can only be attained within oneself," 26-year-old Jeffrey, who requested not to use his last name, said on Tuesday.
Speaking in Tagalog, Jeffrey told the Philippine News Agency (PNA): “I am already at peace and I will celebrate Christmas with that gift."
Jeffrey served as the finance and logistics officer of the Sibat Platoon, Southern Front, Komiteng Rehiyon Panay of the CPP-NPA. Having been recruited by the rebel group at 23 years old, Jeffrey said he used his knowledge and time in managing the rebels’ resources.
“We ask people for food or money, and I am the one who budgets our resources,” he said.
Life in the armed struggle has hindered Jeffrey from celebrating special days, including Christmases and birthdays.
While families and friends gather, exchanging gifts, eating their holiday feast, Jeffrey was in the mountains of Panay, wishing to also spend the special occasion with loved ones.
“They do not have Christmas there in the mountains. We spend it like just a normal day, wandering the mountains and looking for food. Every Christmas eve, I just cherished the moments I was with my family,” he said.
It is one of the reasons, he said, that he decided to finally leave the armed struggle and be together with his loved ones.
Jeffrey surrendered to the Philippine Army’s 61st Infantry Batallion (61IB) in July this year. “I heard about the government’s programs for rebel returnees over the radio. I thought about it for a long time and finally decided to abandon the armed struggle. I want to live my life in peace, without enemies, and without anger,” he said.
Jeffrey shared his family was delighted to be freed from the mistaken doctrines of the rebels. “This Christmas, even if we do not have food preparation, we will still be happy. The most important thing in life is living in peace with your family,” he said.
Christmas will also be merrier this year for Baby, 33, a former political guide and medical officer of Squad 2, Suyak Platoon, Southern Front, Komiteng Rehiyon-Panay for five years.
She also surrendered to the Philippine Army’s 61IB in July.
Like Jeffrey, Baby said the greatest present one can receive this Christmas is freedom from any anger and enemies.
“You can give yourself the greatest gift not just this Christmas, but every day. One can attain peace through the decision he or she makes,” Baby told the PNA.
She said abandoning the wrong doctrines of the CPP-NPA is abandoning hunger, hardship, and constant fear for her life.
She recalled being in the armed movement and spending the special days away from her family. The Suyak Platoon, she said, celebrates Christmas but it was incomparable to the one she spent outside the rebel group.
“They also have fun when it is Christmas but for me, I remember my family, having a simple gathering over a table of food on special occasions,” she said.
Outside the CPP-NPA, Baby said she can have decent work and be able to support her family.
“I am glad that the government has programs to reintegrate rebel surrenderers like me back in the society,” she said.
Jeffrey and Baby both received immediate financial and livelihood assistance from their respective local government units (LGUs) after they surrendered.
The assistance from the LGUs are on top of the benefits they will soon be receiving under the government's Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-Clip), as their enrolment is currently being processed.
Lt. Col. Joel Benedict Batara, 61st IB commander, urged other members of the CPP-NPA to also return to the government fold.
“For so long a time, you (rebels) were away from your loved ones during Christmas. This is now the opportunity to abandon the armed struggle and spend the special days in your life with your families,” he said.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1088918
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