MAWAB, DAVAO DE ORO — Under the peace agenda of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., former members of the communist group are now availing of the national government’s socio-economic projects as well as its amnesty program to address their legal concerns, enable them to complete their transformative journey, and successfully return to mainstream society.
This, after Presidential Peace Adviser Sec. Carlito G. Galvez Jr. led a dialogue with 44 ex-members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) coming from regions 10, 11, 12 and 13.
PBBM’s commitment to FRs
“We are here to fulfil the promise of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Special Assistant to the President Secretary Antonio Ernesto Floirendo Lagdameo, Jr. to help you and your families to uplift your living conditions,” Galvez told the FRs in a mix of Filipino and Visayan.
“We know the challenges all of you had to face as a result of your decision to turn away from armed struggle and return to the folds of the law. Rest assured that we will help to rebuild your lives and create a better future for yourselves and your families,” he added.
The gathering with the former rebels, now called friends rescued (FRs), was spearheaded by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) in partnership with the Armed Forces of the Philippines’s (AFP) 10th Infantry Division.
These peace conversations are anchored on the Marcos Administration’s Five-Point Peace Agenda that aims to help former rebels and combatants successfully reintegrate into their communities as peaceful and productive civilians.
According to Galvez, these FRs should now also be referred to as “peace advocates because you are now partners of the government in fostering peace, mutual respect and reconciliation in you communities.”
“By turning away from armed struggle, you have demonstrated your commitment to help the national government realize its peace agenda. As such, you have now become agents of peace and development,” he said.
Empowering FRs through livelihood opportunities
According to Galvez, the OPAPRU will give financial support to eight People’s Organizations (POs) through the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of its Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) Program.
These POs, which were formed through the efforts of the the10TH ID with support from the OPAPRU, will be receiving Php 500,000 each that will be used to fund various livelihood projects in their communities.
In a dialogue with the FRs in February this year, Lagdameo, re-affirmed the government’s commitment to support their transformation, as he also pledged to personally provide them with financial assistance.
The funds committed by Lagdameo, amounting to Php 2 million, shall come from the Tagum Agricultural Development Company Inc. (TADECO) and the Don Antonio O. Floirendo, Sr. Foundation Inc. (AOFF).
The POs who will be receiving assistance from the OPAPRU include the Bagong Laak Farmers Association from Laak, Davao de Oro; Makilala Integrated Peace Advocates Farmers Association from Davao del Sur; Naghiusa Farmers Association from Davao City; Kauban sa Kalinaw Ug Kalambuan Association from Davao Oriental; Nagkakaisang Magsasaka ng Agusan Sur from from Agusan del Sur and Bukidon; SunnyDay United Farmers Association from Quezon, Bukidnon; Pasidlak Farmers Association from San Fernando, Bukidnon; and Gabay Peacebuilders Association from Arakan, North Cotabato.
On the other hand, the POs who will be receiving assistance from TADECO and AOFF include the Nagkahiusang Mag-Uuma sa Davao de Oro from Davao de Oro; Little Baguio Farmers Association from Davao Occidental; TATAG IP Farmers Association from Davao del Norte; and Kaagapay Association from Davao Oriental.
Among the livelihood projects these PO have proposed include Sari-Sari Store, buy and sell of banana and coconuts, grains retailing, poultry production and egg laying, agrivet supplies, and merchandise, among others.
Safe conduct passes, path to amnesty
In the meantime, Galvez, together with Atty. Janet Grace Dalisay-Fabrero, Regional Prosecutor and Chair of the Local Amnesty Board (LAB) XI, led the turn-over of safe conduct passes to four FRs.
The issuance of these safe conduct passes shall ensure the safety and security of these FRs, as they can now attend to their amnesty applications without fear of being arrested by authorities.
Galvez congratulated the FRs who received the safe conduct passes, citing them as concrete examples of the good things that can happen when individuals decide to turn away from armed struggle and walk the path of peace.
“With these safe conduct passes, you no longer have to look over your shoulder whenever you leave your homes. You can now focus on your most important task, which is processing your amnesty applications,” he said in a mix of English and Tagalog.
“As we have emphasized, amnesty is the best policy. With the granting of amnesty, you will be able to rebuild your lives, complete your transformation, and create a better future for yourselves and your families,” Galvez stressed.
Road to transformation
In a testimony, Jocy Papasin, an FR from Davao Oriental shared that life has not been that easy for former rebels like her who have returned to the folds of the law, as she continues to face challenges in her path towards reintegration to mainstream society.
“It is still difficult to move forward because of the [legal] cases FRs like us are facing. This is why the National Amnesty Program is a very big help for us,” Papasin said, whose cases have already been dismissed by the courts.
She thanked Davao Oriental Governor Nelson Dayanghirang and the 701st Brigade for helping attend to her legal concerns, as well as the national government for the assistance it has provided to her and her fellow FRs.
Norma Capuyan, another FR from Makilala, North Cotabato, bared that among the reasons she decided to leave the communist movement was her advancing age as well as her desire to be reunited with her family.
But what really convinced her to abandon armed struggles was the sincerity shown by the national government, particularly in ensuring that FRs are actively involved in the peacebuilding process.
“If we compare our situation now to our situation before, there is a huge difference. Currently, we now see that FRs are playing a key role in the implementation of the government’s peace and development initiatives,” Capuyan said in the vernacular.
PLGUs ready to help
For his part, Gov. Nelson Dayanghirang encouraged FRs to approach their respective local government units and congressional representatives who can help with the health concerns they are facing.
The governor explained that LGUs have other funding sources that can be availed of to address the health needs of FRs and their families such as the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS).
Dayanghirang stressed that the provincial government is focused on implementing interventions that aim to “help our FRs return to the folds of the law” and improve their socioeconomic conditions.
According to Davao del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib, as part of the provincial government’s efforts to help address the plight of FRs, they have taken the initiative of providing lawyers to individuals who are facing legal cases.
Jubahib said the provincial government has also spearheaded a housing project in partnership with the OPAPRU in Talaingod, Davao del Norte for members of the Ata Manobo tribe who were victims of the communist group.
The province, he added, is helping to create job opportunities and boost the incomes of FRs through sustainable livelihood programs such as the production of vegetables and high-value crops. Then the province buys their produce at good prices.
“We are truly thankful to the OPAPRU and to Sec. Galvez for the assistance they have given to our province, especially to our FRs,” Jubahib said, as he vowed to continue working with the peace agency to reinforce peacebuilding efforts in his province.###
