FROM ARMS TO FARMS: A former rebel being kept busy by his livelihood activity, making him to avoid going back to the armed struggle (Photo by Flory Ann Tacuban)

The local government unit (LGU) of Tubungan has been providing services to rebel returnees since 2012 before the government’s Balik-Loob Program through Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) under Executive Order (EO) 70 that aims to end local communist armed conflict was implemented last 2018.

A group of rebel returnees named TAGPDA (Tubungan Amnesty Grantees for Peace and Development Association) was organized by the LGU under its Tubong-Tubong Project spearheaded by former Mayor Vicente Gargaritano Jr. and former Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE-) Director Ponciano Ligutom in partnership with the Philippine Army to provide sustainable programs for the returnees to be productive and to prepare them for reintegration to mainstream society.

In order to sustain the said program, the LGU headed by Tubungan Mayor Hon. Roquito Tacsagon initiated Project ROKIT (Reintegration Oplan Kabalaka for deserving Individuals in Tubungan).

Under this program includes the services LGU has to offer if rebels decide to return to the folds of the government by providing opportunities such as formal employment whether local and abroad through skills training; livelihood projects which includes giving of cattle, sari-sari store or swine production; and values formation conducted by the Parish Pastoral Council.

Now through E-Clip and LGU’s local inititaive, these rebels are offered much more holistic package of benefits such as education, housing, medical assistance, legal assistance, firearms remuneration, psychosocial assistance, market livelihood and employment opportunities.

Municipal Labor and Employment Officer Emelyn Tano said that this program was established in 2012 through Tubong-Tubong project because of Tubungan being a “red-tag” area since 1980s and the LGU never failed to see its people experiencing struggle and starvation in the mountains while doing in struggle.

“The LGU did this to bring the government closer to the people and to urge them that the purpose of this program is to let them know (rebels) that may nagahulat nga programs and services for them kung magbalik sanda sa sabak kang gobyerno unlike their misconception nga basi i-threat sanda or patyon,” Tano said.

Each returnee received a livelihood assistance from LGU in partnership with DOLE-6 amounting to P10,000 for the first batch and P20,000 for the second batch.

This year, another three surrenderees received P30,000 worth of cash and livelihood assistance from the local initiative of LGU Tubungan.

In 2020, DOLE is allotting a budget amounting to P3.5M for insurgency affected areas in Tubungan to be facilitated by the PESO (Public Employment Service Office).

Data from the Former Rebel Information System showed that a total 43 rebel returnees was able to avail these programs and services since it began and the LGU is also assessing the surrendering rebel to pass the criteria to avail the program as others are maybe using the E-clip to benefit and after that they will go back again to the armed struggle. 

To change the system is to change one’s lives

“Nagbalik loob ako sa gobyerno kay budlay kung ga sunod kaw sa hublag bala kay gamo tapos kis-a nalipasan pa kamo kang kang gutom kay gapanago kamo kapin pa kung may operation ang army budlay pa gid kay rayo kaw sa pamilya mo,” said Alias Nona, 53, former Head Officer of the Alliance of Mass Campaign.

The program changed the lives of its rebels after they decided to return to the refuge of the government when realizing that life in the movement is not easy and are now enjoying a peaceful and productive life.

“Didto man kami nagkilalahay kang bana ko sa hublag, indi man pwede nga sige sunod mo sa grupo tapos may bata kaw nga na atipan alangan mo ra dar-on ma bakwit, amo to nagtukod kami kang pamilya kag nagdesisyon kami bala nga ma gwa nalang kag mangabuhi ti malinong,” Alias Nona added. 

Ka Nona left the group together with another member who turned out to be her husband and became the president of their organization and she influences others by being a living example that a rebel can change if one wants to, through Balik Loob progams that can end violent extremism and bring about peace in the town.

“Wara ako ga take initiative nga manghaylo gid sa mga rebels nga dyan pa sa bukid gapanago nga mabalik sa goyerno bala kay delikado, ang akon lang nga sanda mismo makatalupangod paagi sa kung paano da makita ang pagbalhin kang kabuhi namon,” she added.

Now, Ka Nona’s daughter is a registered nurse in United Kingdom and his son is a priest in South Africa.

A returnee who introduced herself as Rosa in her 50s, said that she is thankful for the government intervention and she is working as a teacher in a Day Care Center in a barangay of the municipality with the help of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Five rebel returnees also undergo and successfully complete Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Skills Trainings that enable them to work abroad as an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) abroad.

“Na paminsaran namon nga kung mabato kami sa gobyerno kag magamit kang pakusog nga paagi, kami ang perde kay na sugal amon kabuhi ti indi sabat ang armas kung gusto mo nga magbag-o ang sistema kang pang gobyerno kay ang pagbag-o dapat kanimo mismo maghalin,” said Ka Badong, a former rebel.

A returnee called alias Ka Lino also became a Bantay-Gubat Forest Protection Officer under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR) program to deter illegal activities in our forest and for the preservation of wildlife since he knows a lot about the terrains by staying in the mountains for a long time.

Tungod ka dya makaturog ron kami ti mahamuok nga wara ti kakulba bala tapos namon ronda,” added Ka Lino.

Four returnees also became officials in their respective barangays indicating that they have fully regain the public’s trust and are now serving the people.

The LGU was also able to employ a returnee whose name was Ka Stanley and was hired as job order employee of the local government for almost 10 years and was given tasks and functions suited with his skills and capabilities.

“Livelihood program is an opportunity for surenderees’ potential source of income and make the returnees busy, thus it prevents from from going back to their armed struggle and being by an agricultural town, the lives of the people depend on farming,” Tano said.

Now these surenderers became active citizens of the society and are actively participating in government programs.

“Kung ipatawag sanda [during their monthly meetings] naga attend sanda kag they are free to suggest plans kung ano ang makapamayad sa banwa unlike sang una nga sa bukid sanda kag naga rebelde,” Tano added.

Thru the continuous collaboration of 1LT Ferdinand de Vera (FS) PA, Commanding Officer Bravo (MUSANG) and Company under the leadership of Lt. Col. Joel Benedict Batara INF (GSC) PA, Commanding Officer 61st Infantry (HUNTER) Batallion, 3ID Philippine Army, they encourage the remaining members of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and New People’s Army (NPA) terrorist here in Tubungan to peacefully surrender and avail the government’s E-CLIP program and they are assuring the returnees of the legitimacy of the E-Clip Program. 

The 61st 3ID of Philippine Army commends Tubungan LGU for implementing programs for rebel returnees. 

“The LGU is sincere to improve the lives of our surenderees by giving them sustainable source of livelihood for their families we are hoping that more rebels will return to the fold of law and seek a peaceful and productive life,” Mayor Roquito Tacsagon stressed.Flory Ann Tacuban/ University of the Philippines Visayas