Kalinaw News: Minor former rebel peacefully celebrates 17th birthday in Bukidnon

Posted to Kalinaw News (Oct 26, 2021): Minor former rebel peacefully celebrates 17th birthday in Bukidnon



IMPASUGONG, BUKIDNON – A minor former CPP-NPA Terrorist (CNT) peacefully celebrated her 17th birthday with her family inside the camp of the 8th Infantry “Dependable” Battalion, Philippine Army in Impasugong, Bukidnon last October 17, 2021.

According to Diden Landasan alias Ana/Sun, 43 years old, the former Finance Officer of Guerilla Front 89, Sub-Regional Committee 2, North Central Mindanao Regional Committee, her daughter Yassi just turned 17 last October 17, and they were able to celebrate as a family after their surrender.

“Nalipay kay kung wala pami ni naog, dili gayod kani mahitabo nga maka celebrate kami og birthday ni Yassi. Kay kaniadtong niaging tuig nga anaa pami sa sulod sa kalihukan igo lamang tawon kami ga sugba ug ilaga nga duha kabuok ug nag gulay,” Diden added (We are happy because if we did not surrender, we will not be able to celebrate Yassi’s birthday. Last year, when we were still CNTs, we were just able to grill two (2) mice and eat vegetables.)

Yassi also happily said, “Nalipay tungod kay adunay handa, dili parehas didto sa bukid nga taga birthday wala gyud handa. Karon mao kini ang first nga naka celebrate ako og balik sa akong birthday nga puno sa kalipay.” (I am happy because now we have a celebration, unlike in the mountains, wherein every birthday there’s no celebration. This is the first time that I was able to celebrate my birthday full of happiness.)

LTC Edgardo Talaroc Jr, Commander 8IB, said “Ang pamilya ang pinaka importanteng tawo sa kinabuhi sa usa ka indibidwal ug sila ang buot natong maka-uban sa atong adlaw’ng natawhan. Kami nalipay nga pinaagi sa ilang pagbalik sa sabakan sa gobyerno, ang pamilyang Landasan nakasinati nga maka selebrar nga malipayon ug malinawon.” (Family is the most important part in the life of a person. They are the ones who we want to celebrate our birthdays with. We are happy that through their return to the folds of the law, the Landasan family was able to celebrate happily and peacefully.)

“Among handum nga daghan pang pamilya ang atong matabangan nga aron sila masalbar gikan sa pagpahimulos ug pagpangrekrut sa mga Communist Terrorist Group (CTG),” Talaroc ended. (We are hoping that we will be able to help more families and save them from the CTG’s exploitation and recruitment.)

It can be recalled that alias Yassi surrendered together with her parents Diden and Ronald Landasan, and her pregnant sister Honey Mae last October 1, 2021.

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