MISAMIS ORIENTAL (PIA)--Being part of the Communist Terrorist Group-New People’s Army (CTG-NPA) does not mean one is exempt from abuses, this was revealed by two former rebels, 'Ka Lala' and 'Ka Inday, during the latest episode of Talakayan sa PIA.

During her 15-year stay in the CTG-NPA red area, Ka Lala witnessed different abuses within its ranks, as leaders would often take advantage of its members, especially women and minors.

"Fifteen years ko naa sa bukid daghan ko nasinati nga abuse jud, mga minor nga mga bata, nga ang pamaagi sa ilahang pag-abuso mao ang pagkamang sa usa ka babae (I have been in the mountain area for fifteen years and have seen abuse of female minors through sexual abuse)," Ka Lala said.

She also added that since the perpetrators are their leaders, the group would let it slip by and do nothing.

In addition to the physical abuse, each member’s rights were also stripped, as they were not allowed to do certain things that a normal individual can do. They were not allowed to see their families or use the names they were given by their parents.

"Didto man jud sa sulod ginatudloan ka mahimong bangis o daotan nga tao tungod kay ginakawkaw sa imoha ang imohang katungod nga isip ikaw (There, you are taught to be cruel because your individuality is being taken from you)," Ka Inday added.

Aside from the abuses inside the rebel camp, those who are in the "white areas" or operations carried out in urban areas where CTGs are doing deceptive propaganda activities also experience abuse. As shared by Ka Inday. Compared with the red area group, the white area committee, being the legal front of the CTG-NPA, receives a compensatory salary of P24,000 per month; however, according to "Ka Inday," she only receives half, or P12,000.

Because of the abuses and wrong ideas, both returnees are now telling young people not to be persuaded to join the rebel group and to be careful about which groups they join.

EO 70, a path to freedom

Both rebels who came back to the law were glad that Executive Order No. 70, also known as End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC), was put into place. This gave them the chance to surrender safely and come back into the fold of the law. Even though they had done bad things in the past, the government let them join the Philippine Army and work for the government.

Returning to the folds of the law and availing of the program offered through ELCAC brought a change to each and every life of rebel returnees as the government offered them livelihood programs, free housing, and a chance to live normally again with their respective families.

"Gitabangan mi og dako sa gobyerno uban sa amoang kaubanan na former rebel na matul-id ang amoang kinabuhi ug musubay balik sa maayong dalan, mauban balik ang tagsa-tagsa nga pamilya ug mabati ang tinuod nga kagawasan," said Ka Inday.

(The government had helped us together with our fellow former rebels to straighten our lives, return to our respective families, and feel true freedom)

Being part of the government made them realize that all the idealism and propaganda taught to them were lies and deceits, such as the government doing nothing for the people, especially in the far-flung areas.

Despite the threat they previously received, both Ka Lala and Ka Inday pledge not to return to the rebel side and vow to help the government cascade the truth behind the lies and deceits of the CPP-NPA so that no more youths and students will fall prey and become members of their destructive organization. (JAKA/PIA-10)