LIGHT TALK Maj. Gen. Jose Maria Cuerpo II, commander of the Army鈥檚 4th Infantry Division, talks to rebel returnees on May 8 in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. 鈥擫EAH D. AGONOY
CAMP OSITO BAHIAN, BUKIDNON鈥擥rowing up in remote Guilang-guilang village in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, Mae Lou Jean Sin-ingan had harbored dreams of becoming a doctor, attracted to the idea of making a difference in the health of rural folk.
But the lack of education opportunities had confined Sin-ingan to her remote community, helping eke out a living for her family.
Some nine years ago, when she was 17, she was enticed to join the communist movement, to the dismay of her parents, especially that her father was a soldier about to retire from military service.
鈥淭hey cried, they couldn鈥檛 believe I joined the (communist) movement,鈥� Sin-ingan recalled.
While in the underground, Sin-ingan was trained as a medical and health care provider for the 鈥渕asa鈥� (masses) in guerrilla communities of Bukidnon, achieving a semblance of her childhood ambition. She rose to become regional medical staff of the New People鈥檚 Army (NPA) under the North-Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC).
Sin-ingan married a fellow rebel, Loloy Han-ayan, and recently gave birth to a baby girl.
Han-ayan told the Inquirer that he was drawn into the underground for his desire to fight for the rights of farmers. He said that while this belief was still valid, there were better ways of pursuing it apart from the armed struggle.
On Wednesday, the couple joined 42 others in disavowing their links to the communist underground saying they wanted to chart a new life in mainstream society for their family.
The Army鈥檚 403rd Infantry Brigade, led by its commander, Brig. Gen. Michele Anayron Jr., welcomed the former rebels, many of whom were in their late teens and early 20s. The youngest, four of them, are 17.
But most of them, according to Anayron, became communist guerrillas while still minors. A certain Aki, now 19, said he joined the NPA at 14.
The highest ranking among those who surrendered was Randy Canoy Bayot alias 鈥淕ov鈥� and 鈥淜ap,鈥� deputy secretary of the NCMRC who also serves as its spokesperson and finance officer.
Assistance
The 44 rebels turned in 41 firearms. Bayot himself brought in five M16 rifles and one M14 rifle.A P5-million reward was offered for Bayot鈥檚 capture but since he surrendered, the bounty will be given to the person who convinced him to surrender, according to Anayron.
Bayot said they had been 鈥渆xtremely exhausted鈥� in constantly running away from Army offensives. The desire to reunite with his family also played a major part in his decision to turn his back against the communist movement, he added.
Anayron said many of those who surrendered also faced criminal charges before local courts, even arrest warrants. Bayot is facing two counts of murder, multiple frustrated murder, destructive arson, kidnapping and serious illegal detention.
Maj. Gen. Jose Maria Cuerpo II, commander of the Army鈥檚 4th Infantry Division, said the former rebels would be assisted in dealing with their cases. Personnel from the Local Amnesty Board attended to the former rebels so they could apply for amnesty.Bukidnon provincial prosecutor Rommel Alonto said the former rebels would remain in the military camps to ensure their security while their cases were being heard in different courts.