A former rebel urged the youth to be on guard against the sweet promises of groups that pretend to have good intentions.
“Huwag kayong magpapalinlang sa matatamis na pangako ng mga grupong nagpapanggap na may mabubuting layunin. Madalas, ang tunay nilang intensyon ay may kinalaman sa pansariling interes at ang kapalit nito ay ang inyong kinabukasan,” Fhobie Matias, a former member of the New People’s Army (NPA), said.
During a community information awareness in Roxas town, Oriental Mindoro, Matias shared the story of her painful involvement in the armed struggle and the deception that led her to join the ranks of rebel forces.
Matias said, organizations play a significant role in shaping young students into future members of armed groups. She recounted how she was initially recruited and trained by groups that seemed to have noble intentions but eventually pushed her toward the NPA.
“Ang mga organisasyon po ay nagde-develop ng mga kabataang estudyante para gawing partido at kalaunan ay pasasampahin sa kabundukan. Noong na-develop po ako bilang partido [ay] marami pong pag-aaral ang binibigay sa amin patungkol po sa isyu ng lipunan at bakit kailangan mag-armas,” Matias said.
She shared that she was first deployed from Batangas to Roxas town in Oriental Mindoro, where she worked full-time in organizing farmers, only to discover later that the supposed advocacy for farmers was a cover for an armed movement.
“Ako ay dineploy una sa Batangas [kung saan] doon po ako nag full time [tapos] pinadala nalang po ako dito sa Mindoro. Ang sabi nila noong una ay mangangampanya lang sila sa magsasaka pero biglang may mga armas na,” Matias said.
She refuted claims made by the Katipunan ng mga Samahang Magbubukid sa Timog Katagalugan, specifically the allegation that she was abducted by the military. She clarified that she voluntarily joined the rebel forces, and her disillusionment with the movement eventually led her to leave.
“Naging rebelde ako dati, nagbitbit ako ng armas, pero ngayon ay napagtanto ko na may mas magandang buhay na naghihintay sa akin, isang buhay ng kapayapaan at pag-asa,” she added.
On the other hand, the Philippine Army here is continuously reminding the public, particularly parents and youth, to carefully consider the organizations they choose to support in order not to fall into the deceptions and traps of the terrorist groups
The government troops also call on everyone to work together to ensure that the youth are not misled into joining violent movements and choose instead a path that leads to a peaceful and prosperous future. (AS/PIA MIMAROPA-Oriental Mindoro)
