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WHEN LOST LAMBS FOUND THEIR WAY BACK HOME: UNRAVELLING

THE LIVES OF NPA RETURNEES, A MULTIPLE CASE STUDY

A Senior High School Research Submitted to

BRYAN EPHRAEM E. MIGUEL
Senior High School Department
Cateel Vocational High School

In partial fulfillment of the Requirements of the Subject

Inquiries, Investigation and Immersion
2nd Semester SY 2018-2019

Carilla, Denver
Vitor, Alphonse Jemer C.
Maca, Elanie Grace M.
Penañueva, Maica N.

2019
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Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

“Reintegration was pretty difficult because everyone looked upon us as bad...but

we decided to be willing to be able to make many changes within our
society...because we, through our exemplary behavior, through our ability to
organize ourselves, we were demonstrating so much to them...more than
anything, that we were human beings.”

-Randall Janzen, Guatemalan

Ex-Combatant Perspectives on Reintegration

The quoted statement above means that these rebel returnees are having

difficulties to reintegrate with the people in their community due to how humans

view them as ex-combatants who often pose a threat to post-war safety.

However, this does not stop them to regain their damaged identity through

peaceful means of making a living. Their willingness to begin their life for a

second time could enhance their own capacity in determining their future, to

foster their own independence and autonomy through reintegration. The capacity

to organize themselves could earn them solidarity amongst members of the

community. Although, it may aid acceptance by the civilians whom these

returnees will have to live with, returnees may also feel alienated from a group.

In this vein, returnees simply wanted to build a new life away from fear,

mistreatment and to shape new perspectives in life that will help them experience

a secure and meaningful existence. Just as the saying goes, "You must be the

change you wish to see in the world.” To attain peace among others, they have

deserted the rebel organization and that in its very essence is change; a change

wherein they have shown courage and determination to deviate from their past

faults. Behind this change, they need acknowledgement of the community

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around them because through successful reintegration people will no longer look

at them with fear and hatred or regard them as evil members of the community

but as fellow human beings. Thus, this study wanted to uncover the lived

experiences of the New People’s Army returnees to be able to understand and

build awareness of the participant’s condition.

In conflicts around the world, the forcible recruitment of soldiers, often

children, is a widespread practice among many militaries and insurgent groups

(Beber and Blattman, 2013; Blattman and Miguel, 2010). Several million children

under the age of 18 are estimated to have served in combat since 2001 and the

participation of child soldiers has been documented in armed conflicts in almost

every region of the world (Human Rights Watch, 2008). The United Nations in the

period of 2013 reported the ongoing use of children in conflicts from 16 countries.

In 2007, of the 19 countries reported, more than 1,000,000 ex-combatants

participated in one way or another in some phase of a DDR program. Around

38% participated in programs to diminish armed forces, while the rest

participated in programs to disarm and demobilize armed opposition groups. Of

those combatants eligible for demobilization, 90% were from Africa, where 14 of

the 19 country programs are located (Disarmament, Demobilization and

Reintegration, 2008).

After conflicts end, the reintegration of former soldiers is a critical issue

because of the risk of falling into the conflict trap (Collier, 2007): former

combatants may become socially isolated or economically worse off, and feelings

of frustration and low opportunity costs may increase the chances that they join
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armed groups in the future (Collier and Hoeffler, 2004; Knight and Özerdem,

2004), which may lead to the re-emergence of violence. Additionally, pioneering

surveys among this important subject pool have revealed that gaps in economic

or social outcomes between former soldiers and their peers are common

(Humphreys and Weinstein 2007, Restrepo and Muggah 2009, Blattman and

Annan 2010).

Nationally, there are many rebel groups founded in the Philippines. Some

of these are the National Democratic Front or NDF, and most common is the

CPP-NPA to name a few. The US Department of State reports the NPA primarily

targets Philippine security forces, government officials, local infrastructure, and

businesses that refuse to pay ‘revolutionary taxes’ (Refugee Review Tribunal,

2010). With the amnesty given to those rebels, pardons were set to those who

wanted to turn back to the government. Since January, the Armed Forces of the

Philippines (AFP) reported that at least 2,263 New People’s Army (NPA) rebels

and their supporters have surrendered. Records show that 607 of the

surrenderees were regular NPA fighters while the rest were with the Militia ng

Bayan, underground mass organizations (UGMOs) and their supporters. Lt. Col.

Emmanuel Garcia, AFP public affairs office chief said, around 90 percent of

those who surrendered came from the Davao region.

In the local background, Philstar (2018) reported that a total of 371 UGMO

members and their supporters surrendered in Compostela Valley, 193 in

Monkayo and 166 in Montevista. The former rebels received assistance from the

government as their compensation. Under the rebel returnee livelihood program,

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a qualified returnee will receive 5,000 Pesos per month allowance in exchange to

community service she/he renders in her/his barangay. The returnees are

required to do community works from Mondays to Friday except holiday. Among

the community services the returnees are to perform cleaning of pathways and

roads, irrigation maintenance, tree planting, assisting in the day care centers and

health stations, helping repair school buildings and doing other tasks that are

assigned to them by their barangay officials (Doga-ong, 2013).

Indeed, second chances can be a great leeway for these NPA returnees

who were lost and have found respective ways to build and renew their lives.

With the condition stated overhead as determined by economic and social

interactions between ex-combatants and the communities to which they return, it

is certainly vital to study both the influence of soldiering on the behavior of

returnees as well as their behavior towards the receiving communities. Further, in

order to gain a deeper understanding in the behavior of former soldiers, it is

central to distinguish whether potential different treatments of former soldiers lie

on the beliefs about future behavior of former soldiers. The researchers believed

that it is important to study the underlying myriad factors that constitute to this

phenomenon. Such distinctions are important, since each of these factors has

behavioral implications. In addition, there were only few literatures with regards

to the topic. Thus, the study is necessary to be researched.

Research Questions

1. What are the lived experiences of the NPA Returnees in Cateel?

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2. How do the returnees cope with the struggles of being a former member of

the NPA?

3. What are the insights of the NPA Returnees in Cateel?

Theoretical Lens

This study is anchored to the Attribution Theory of Bernard Weiner (1972).

Attribution theory is a social cognitive theory of motivation centered upon the

belief that retrospective causal attributions have bearing on present and future

motivation and achievement (Weiner, 1972). When we offer explanations about

why things happened, we can give one of two types. One, we can make an

external attribution. Two, we can make internal attribution. An external attribution

assigns causality to an outside agent or force. It claims that some outside thing

motivated the event. By contrast, an internal attribution assigns causality to

factors within the person. It claims that the person was directly responsible for

the event (Attribution Theory, 2006).

Furthermore, causal attribution concerns how people understand the

reasons for their successes and failures. Attribution theory locates all causal

attributions along three dimensions: internal or external, stable or unstable, and

controllable or uncontrollable. Those people attributing their success to internal,

stable and controllable factors tend to be more highly motivated and possibly

continue to be more successful than those with alternative attribution styles

(Assessing Women in Engineering (AWE) Project, 2005).

In this regard, reintegration of returnees may be difficult both due to a lack

of basic infrastructure and means of living (Maniraguha, 2011). He added that in

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this way, post-war challenges may contribute to the re-ignition of violence and

armed conflict. In order to mitigate the potential threat to stability returnee

reintegration entails, there is a need to know the challenges of specific

reintegration programs. Experts in peace and security studies consider

reintegration of returning refugees as a part of peace building, which aims at

preventing war-torn countries from relapsing into violence (Petrin 2002;

Harpviken 2008; Jarstad and Sisk 2008; Paris and Sisk 2009).

Delimitations and Limitations

The study that we will be conducting is a qualitative case study, thus

decided to involve 5 NPA Returnees and 5 participants from different selected

group of individuals. There will be five (5) participants for the in-depth interview

(IDI) and five (5) participants for the Key Informant Interview (KII). These 10

participants came from the Mandaya tribe and are currently living in Cateel

specifically at Taytayan, one of the barangays in the said locale. The said former

NPA participants are limited to at least 5 years of rebel work and are 18 and

above of age. They must be a former member of New People’s Army that have

returned and gained access to the government. On the other hand, the 5

participants for the KII must be a resident for about 10 years in the said locale

and are 18 and above of age also. They must also possess an intimate

knowledge of the topic based on their special social positions, experience,

participation in the project or program, or professional expertise. This was to

ensure that they are the right people that we can gather data from.
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We delimited the study to qualitative in-depth case study as research

design. In terms of data gathering, the data will be collected through in-depth

interview using a smartphone application, voice recorders that will allow us to

record the conversation of the interviewer and the interviewee. Since we will also

employ focus group discussion as one of the research instruments, voice

recorder from smartphones will also be utilized. Aside from these, we will be

taking notes of the non-verbal expression that they have observed.

Furthermore, purposive and snowball sampling will be used as sampling

technique. The said study will be conducted in the second semester of the S.Y.

2018-2019.

Significance of the Study

The results of the study are deemed beneficial to the following:

New People’s Army Returnees. The knowledge that can be gained from

this study can help the returnees, through giving information to different

government agencies that make and implement programs. This way, the

agencies can help make the returnees’ lives better.

Local Government Unit. The findings of this study can help LGU officials

in crafting more effective programs especially for the returnees, more particularly

in terms of giving them livelihood programs in order to sustain their living and will

help them refrain from going back to their old doings from being an NPA. With

this, they can start their new lives effectively and will have a comfortable

environment and better place of living.

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Community. This study can be beneficial to the people or community for it

can help them to have deeper understanding about the lives of NPA returnees

thus, they may assist or support the returnees in adjusting with their new

environment.

Future Researchers. Future researchers may benefit from the study

through its findings. This can give additional information to future researchers,

and can give them better understanding about the lives of NPA rebels.

Definition of Terms

Multiple Case Study. This pertains to the type of Qualitative Research

that the researchers will utilize in the study.

New People’s Army. They are commonly known as NPA, a rebel group in

the Philippines that seeks to overthrow the government in favor of a new state

led by the working class and to expel U.S. influence in the Philippines

(International Crisis Group, 2011).

NPA Returnees. This pertains to the former rebels of the New Peoples’

Army and now surrendered to the government. These include members who

were cornered during their fight with the military, were given amnesty by the

government and those who willingly surrendered to be able to live a new life.

Either of these people acquired assistance and was given help by the

government through livelihood programs and such. They are also the participants

that serve as the main focus of the study.

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Chapter 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

This chapter presented the review of related literature of the present

study. The review of related literature is a compilation of literatures related to the

topic of the study. In this section, the readings from various sources such as

books, journals and online articles that are connected to NPA and NPA returnees

are presented. This is composed of the discussion of characteristics and features

of the NPA in the Philippines, the cause of rebellion in the country, the

characteristics of the NPA in the local context and their activities.

The New People’s Army

Based on the study of Internal Displacement Monitoring Center (IDMC)

(2013), NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)

was founded in December 1968. Condemning the ‘semicolonial and semifeudal’

character of Philippine society, the CPP seeks a ‘national democratic revolution’

that would include land reform. The CPP aims to achieve this by building a mass

movement that would lead to a popular uprising. The CPP sees local

communities as indispensable allies in forging ‘mass campaigns’ to achieve land

reform, health, education and other welfare objectives. From 1989 to 1994, the

government’s counter-insurgency operations dubbed Oplan Lambat Bitag I, II

and III – significantly weakened the NPA. In 2002, the government launched a

five-year national counter-insurgency plan, Oplan Bantay Laya (OBL) which was

extended five years later as OBL II in an effort to crush the NPA. From an
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estimated 12,000 fighters in the mid-1980s, the number of NPA fighters has been

significantly reduced. According to the military, the total number of NPA fighters

in mid-2013 was just over 4,000 down from 4,384 at the beginning of 2011. It is

estimated that the 46-year-old conflict between the government and the

CPP/NDF/NPA has resulted in the death of more than 40,000 people. According

to government data collected between 1978 and 2010, almost half of the

casualties were NPA, and close to one third were military and police, and a fifth

were civilians.

The CPP was reestablished along Maoist lines, replacing the old PKP by

Jose Maria Sison, an English professor from the University of the Philippines, on

26 December 1968, the 75th birthday of Mao Zedong (Santos, 2010a). According

to Caouette (2004), the communist movement in the Philippines is consistent

with Mao’s three instruments of revolution having three institutional components:

a political party, the CPP; a front group representing the interests of the party in

society, the National Democratic Front (NDFP); and an army, the NPA. The NPA

was established by Sison on 29 March 1969 (the 27th anniversary of the

founding of the Hukbalahap); indeed, the NPA views itself as the new people’s

army just as the Hukbalahap was the original people’s army against Japan

(Danenberg et al., 2007). The NDFP was created in 1973; it consists of

organizations representing the various sectors of society such as peasants,

workers, women, and teachers (Caouette, 2004).

The NPA has been engaged in conflict with the AFP since 1969 and

although it has suffered a substantial loss of strength since the mid-1980s, when
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it had 20,000 to 25,000 armed cadres, it is still a formidable force and is

estimated to have approximately 5,000 armed fighters (International Crisis

Group, 2011). To acquire an estimate of NPA activity, the Philippines Communist

Insurgency Report, prepared by Pacific Strategies and Assessments (a business

risk consultancy firm), was used. According to Pacific Strategies and

Assessments (2011, 2012), from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2012 there

were 1,426 incidents of CPP-NPA activity resulting in 463 fatalities and 601

casualties. Although the CPP-NPA has a nationwide presence, there is

substantial CPP-NPA activity along the eastern side of Mindanao, on Negros, on

Samar, in the Southern Tagalog Region, and in the Bicol Peninsula of Luzon to

which attention now turns.

Referred to as the CPP’s “revolutionary bible,” (International Crisis Group,

2011) Sison’s social analysis in “Philippine Society and Revolution” (written

under a pseudonym), described Philippine society as “semi-colonial and semi-

feudal,” had some marked similarities to a tract written by the PKI chairman

(Weekley, 2011) Sison, along with other small groups of Filipino students, also

visited China in the early throes of the Cultural Revolution, and many returned

convinced that by following Mao’s instructions, they could succeed with their

revolution at home. According to Sison’s early writings, the key forces arrayed

against a more just society were U.S. imperialism, bureaucratic capitalism and

feudalism, and a national democratic revolution could only occur through a

“protracted people’s war,” surrounding the cities from rural bases in the

countryside. But drawing heavily from the example of the Maoist revolution, the
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emphasis was always on the rural peasantry, who would rise up, surround the

centers of government and overthrow them.

The NPA was headed by Bernabe Buscayno, who would subsequently be

known as “Commander Dante.” The son of a former Huk and peasant farmer,

Buscayno, was a member of one of the few remaining active Huk guerilla groups,

mostly reduced to criminal activity, and Buscayno was eager to join a movement

that would politically address the needs of poor farmers. Sison was introduced to

him by Senator Benigno Aquino, who was a noted opposition leader under the

Marcos regime, (and the father of the current President) (International Crisis

Group, 2011).

In October 2010, the Aquino government decided to revive peace talks

moribund since 2004. Norwegian-brokered talks commenced in Oslo in February

2011. The outcome was an 18-months timeframe to successively complete three

agreements namely, the Comprehensive Agreement on Socio-Economic

Reforms, the Comprehensive Agreement on Political and Constitutional Reforms

and the Comprehensive Agreement on end of Hostilities and Disposition of

Forces. Both parties expressed the hope of reaching a final peace agreement

within the first three years of Aquino’s administration. Since then, however,

peace talks have again stalled. Attempts to revive the peace talks in June 2012

made little progress but both parties did agree to consider implementing the Joint

Agreement in Support of Socio-Economic Projects of Private Development

Organizations and 12 Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre | August 2013

Institutes, an initiative to bring peace and development in conflict-affected areas

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which was signed in 1998 but never implemented (International Crisis Group,

2011)..

At the end of April 2013, the government announced it was no longer

willing to pursue formal peace talks with the CPP-NDF-NPA and was instead

considering “new approaches” to resolve the conflict. These would be informed

by consultations to be held by the government with various stakeholders across

the country in the coming months. While consultations, in particular with the civil

society and new ideas, such as the zones of peace mentioned by the

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, Teresita Quintos Deles, are certainly

welcome there are also risks that the breakdown of formal peace talks could lead

to an intensification of military activities on both sides accompanied by an

increase of state peace and development programs. These are part of the

government’s Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP), which seeks to win the

hearts and minds of people living in conflict-affected areas through social

programs, while increasing armed conflict to military defeat the insurgents. This

may result in further displacements. In July 2013, the Chief of Staff of the Armed

Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reported that during the first six months of 2013

the NPA carried out 173 attacks on the AFP compared to 162 during the first

semester of 2012. During the same period, the AFP increased its “engagements”

with the NPA to 350, up from 312 during the same period in 2012. Of these, 252

took place in eastern Mindanao the geographical focus for the AFP’s Internal

Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) (IDMC, 2013).

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Root Causes of Philippine Rebellion

The National Unification Commission (NUC) Report to President Fidel V.

Ramos in 1993, the result of nationwide consultations especially at the provincial

and regional levels in 1992-1993, identified the root causes of Philippine internal

armed conflicts and classified them under five categories, as follows: Massive

and abject poverty and economic inequity, particularly in the distribution of wealth

and control over the resource base for livelihood; poor governance, including lack

of basic social services, absenteeism of elected local officials, corruption and

inefficiency in government bureaucracy, and poor implementation of laws,

including those that should protect the environment; Injustice, abuse of those in

authority and power, violations of human rights, and inequity, corruption and

delays in the administration of justice; Structural inequities in our political system,

including control by an elite minority, traditional politicians and political dynasties,

and enforcement of such control through private armies; Exploitation and

marginalization of indigenous cultural communities, including lack of respect and

recognition of ancestral domain and indigenous legal and political systems

(Santos, 2010).

Exploitation and Domination. There are reasons why people joined

rebellions. According to Little (2018), the reasons why people rebel is because

they are the subject of exploitation and domination; they recognize their common

situation with others; and they recognize rationally that, as a group, they have the

power to threaten or overthrow the institutions that oppress them. Rebellions

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occur when the mass of producers acquire both the political resources and the

advantageous circumstances needed to mount a potentially successful rebellion.

Education. Santos of 2018 reported that the 401 st Brigade said that most

allegations linking the Lumad schools to the communist rebels come from "former

NPAs who returned to the government who studied in ALCADEV and TRIFPSS

schools." According to them, they were recruited by the CPP-NPA while studying

in the said schools. They also revealed that, ALCADEV and TRIFPSS teachers

taught their students to rebel against the government. They were also required to

participate in mass demonstrations against the government. In addition, Human

Development Report (HDN) 2015 stated, larger percentages of NCR

respondents (42%) and those in urban areas (36%) cite the Abu Sayyaf

compared to their counterparts in the other geographic regions (24% to 29%) and

in the rural areas (22%). About one in five (19%) Filipinos cannot name a group

they associate with terrorism. There are more in the rural areas and larger

percentages of them among the elderly and those with at most an elementary

education. Many of these people are likely not even aware of or are unfamiliar

with the phenomenon or issue.

Coercion. Coercion or an act of forcing can be considered as one of the

factors of joining to a certain rebel group. According to Kristine Eck (2014),

supposed that rebel groups will be more likely to employ coercion in recruitment.

For example, when fighting intensifies and rebels are losing on the battlefield, or

if a rebel group needs a boost in strength, the temptation will be strong to forcibly

recruit individuals to join. If the rebel group experiences a shock to its resource
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base—for example, the loss of access to loanable resources or the withdrawal of

an external funder—this will also undermine the recruitment base and should

cause the rebel group to consider more forcible options. Recruitment, generally

speaking, can be conceptualized as a continuum ranging from voluntary

recruitment to forced recruitment. Coercion is a broad term that can take on a

number of different connotations. Certainly coercive recruitment covers those

situations where the threat of violence, whether explicit or implicit, affects an

individual’s decision to join. As such, coercive recruitment includes all cases of

involuntary enlistment. But coercion can be conceptualized even more broadly to

include all forms of pressure, be it social or psychological, that induce individuals

to take actions that they otherwise would not.

Indoctrination. The psychological literature has shown that indoctrination

tactics break down individuals’ cognitive processes and result in a weakened

ability to think critically and make decisions. The use of indoctrination, both as a

means to recruit and as a means to consolidate a group’s hold on individuals

after recruitment, aids in retention because it invests individuals in the belief that

they have a strong desire to belong to the group, some (particularly rebel

leaders) would argue that it is simply a means of providing political education,

while others view it as a form of brainwashing. There is some evidence from

social psychology that employing forceful indoctrination (for example, after

abducting an individual) produces even more lasting effects, given that it is done

in a very specific manner. Forceful indoctrination is more effective because

stress levels are higher and more salient to indoctrinates given the greater
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threats to their persons and freedom. Ultimately, most forced indoctrination

programs seek to induce individuals into making costly behaviors that commit it

to the group (making confessions, providing information about the loyalties of

others, participating in violence, recruiting others, etc.) (Eck & Eichmeier, 2014).

Economic Motivational Factor. One of the principal motivators for people is

the potential for financial gain or access to economic goods. It may not

necessarily be about cash, but in general, the goal is to achieve some type of

reward, which eventually can be translated into a better economic situation to

address economic-based grievances. Between 1915 and 1988, Mexico enforced

an agrarian reform, which enabled peasants to title land, as long as they were

willing and able to produce. The government redistributed over 104 million

hectares of land, but the land distribution was uneven. Many of the wealthy

people began to appropriate the fertile land in mass quantities. Therefore, there

were more landowners than the rest of the country, about 148,000 by 1970. The

smaller farms were the less fertile and harder to access. A few years after the

attacks of EZLN in 1994, one-third of the participants confided to news sources,

their rejection of “too much exploitation and too much injustice” and their

unwillingness to bear it any longer. One of the interviewees said the people “had

no choice but to take up arms and fight because the land belongs to those who

labor it.” It is clear then, two thousand extremely poor people, from a pool of

about twenty-five million, decided to join the rebel group known as the Ejército

Zapatista de Liberación Nacional (EZLN) (Mannings, 2017).

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The “taproot” analysis actually comes from Gen. Victor N. Corpus,

someone who has seen or come from both sides of the conflict, as NPA and as

AFP, and he emphasizes the agrarian issue of the peasant farmers as the

“taproot” which must be dug out to find a lasting solution to the insurgency

problem. It is this more difficult digging out of the root causes which he calls the

“silent war” aspect of counter-insurgency (Corpus, 2009). Indeed, in the literature

of the CPP-led national-democratic revolution, like its 1970 “Bible” Philippine

Society and Revolution (PSR) (Guerrero, 2009) the land problem of the

peasantry is the main problem of the national-democratic revolution. Stated

otherwise, the revolutionary struggle for land is the main democratic content of

the Philippine revolution to seize political power and consolidate it.

Economic inequity leads to mass poverty which in turn results in a whole

lot of social ills like ignorance, disease, criminality, urban blight, squatting, drugs,

low productivity, low purchasing power, lack of economic development, double

standard of justice, marginalization, land conflicts, and exclusion of Muslims and

other cultural communities from the socioeconomic- political mainstream

(National Peace and Development Plan, 2010)

Ideological Motivational Factors. Ideology is an important motivation

because it is the fabric which binds an Organized Violent Movements (OVM).

Ideology can be interpreted as the nuts and bolts needed to keep an engine

together and functioning. Without a bonding ideology, the movement is likely to

diminish and die. Ideology is what allows the organization to exist. In fact,

“spontaneous uprisings are by definition unorganized,” whereas strong

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movements are bound by a common vision and ideology. Analysis of the

economics of civil conflict, reacting against the extensive literature that has

featured the roles of ideology and ethnicity in rebellion, subsumes ideology and

ethnicity as causal factors and emphasizes the economic motivations for

rebellion (Gate, 2018). In addition, IDMC stated that many of the NPA fighters

are also Lumads recruited locally. As a result the military tend to perceive and

suspect Lumads of predominantly being NPA insurgents or supporters. As part of

its counterinsurgency strategy the army is also encouraging Lumad communities

to form or join civil defence militias or paramilitary groups to help fight the NPA,

these concludes that the ethnicity is a recruitment strategy of rebels and

militaries.

Ideological differences between conflicting parties include, on one side,

the belief in armed struggle as the means to achieve political goals; perceived

foreign intervention in domestic affairs; and degeneration of moral values.

Serious concerns were also expressed about the destruction of the natural

environment, the conduct of the counter-insurgency campaign, and the

continuing hardships experienced by communities in the midst of armed conflict

(National Unification Commission, 2013).

Feudalism. According to Cusi (2006), it is actually one of the three basic

problems of the Filipino people, the other two being U.S. imperialism and

bureaucrat-capitalism. These basic problems account for the semi-colonial and

semi-feudal character of Philippine society dominated by the few of the landlord

class and the comprador big bourgeoisie which exploit mainly the majority
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peasantry and the proletariat. The latter are the main and leading forces,

respectively, of the national-democratic revolution to establish a national-

democratic society with a socialist perspective. A relatively recent study applying

multivariate statistical techniques to draw up a vulnerability index of the country’s

75 provinces to CPP-NPA-NDF insurgency (Cusi, 2006), the main components in

effect, factors or causes for the insurgency are (1) endemic poverty, (2)

educational deprivation, (3) ill health, (4) social injustice, (5) socio-economic

deprivation, and (6) geographic isolation. At the same time, a process of political

warfare of the insurgent organization intervenes with the end effect of developing

a thriving insurgency and its mass base.

In fine, the causes and roots of the conflict are both social and socio-

economic (existing conditions) and ideological-political (two competing

governments). In CPP parlance, these would be referred to as objective and

subjective factors, respectively. The subjective is significant because of the

CPP’s Maoist ethos of voluntarism - “a strong belief in the capacity of organized

and consciously-motivated subjective forces to attain victory against all odds

(geographic, historical, cultural, and social)” (Malay, 2014). This can be seen in

the brief history of the conflict.

Rebellion in Davao Region

In Davao, the Duterte family is a powerful third force in the conflict

between the military and the NPA. Rodrigo Duterte, the current vice-mayor, was

first elected mayor in 1988, at a time when the “sparrow” units were carrying out

killings on the streets of Davao, and the military-backed anti-communist vigilante

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squads known as the Alsa Masa meted out punishment in return. He

subsequently served six terms, and when he could no longer stand for office, his

daughter Sara Duterte stepped in and was elected mayor in 2010. Rodrigo

Duterte’s demand that the regional police chief is ousted for arresting a senior

NPA figure on NewYear’s Day – while the holiday ceasefire was still in place –

exemplifies how local politics are often more important than national policies

(Brigano, 2011).

Although violence has dramatically declined under Duterte, and the

numerous urban squatter communities that served as the communists’ support

base no longer exist, the CPP/NPA continues to operate within Davao City. It is

particularly active in Paquibato district, the stronghold of Leonicio “Ka Parago”

Pitao of the NPA’s Merardo Arce Command. In July and August 2010 alone, Ka

Parago’s command launched seven tactical offensives in the district (Crisis

Group Interviews, 2011). Duterte, who used to employ a former member of the

NDF as his chief of staff, in effect grants the guerrillas permission to operate in

certain areas of the city (Mindanews, 2011). He also ensures leftist activists are

safe from extrajudicial killings; in exchange, they do not protest against the

“Davao death squad”. (Human Rights Watch, 2009)

The Davao region, encompassing Davao City, and the provinces of Davao

del Sur, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental and the Compostela Valley, is home to

fifteen NPA fronts, totaling roughly 800 fighters. The military believes only 10 per

cent are hardened ideologues. Between 60 to 70 per cent of guerrillas in the

region are lumads (Crisis Group Interviews, 2010).The most contested area is
 22

the Compostela Valley, home to small scale mining, illegal logging and

plantations. The NPA has experienced leadership in Ka Parago, and the military

believes the most skilled fighters are in the Davao region. But the newer recruits

who are captured by or surrender to the army are less ideological, despite having

gone through the standard “basic mass course” and military training. A shift has

also occurred in the NPA’sability to organise; protests arranged by affiliated

organisations are drawing smaller numbers in recent years, according to the

military.

The left in Davao is split into “rejectionist” and “reaffirmist” camps.

Describing how each holds its own rally on human rights day on December 10, a

civil society activist said, “we are so few, yet we are so divided”.(Crisis Group

Interview, 2010).Another noted that there is cooperation at times on specific

issues, such as the coalition on summary executions (Crisis Group Interview,

2010).

NPA Activities in Davao Region

As elsewhere, the NPA’s main activities in Davao are raising funds and

carrying out operations against state security forces and other “enemies of the

people”.

Raising funds. The NPA obtains significant amounts of money from the

Davao region. The military estimates that the NPA collected 39.5 million pesos

($890,000) there in 2010, nearly half of the 95.5 million pesos ($2.15 million) it

raised from revolutionary taxes throughout the country during the year (GMA

News, 2010). Most of the funds are collected in the Compostela Valley, where
 23

there are many mines. In 2009, the military estimated that the province could

provide the group with as much as 20 million pesos ($460,000) per month (ABS-

CBN News, 2009). This is sufficient for guerrillas to allocate surplus funds for

their dependents; a luxury unit elsewhere cannot afford (Crisis Group Interview,

2010).

The NPA can raise large amounts from the Compostela Valley because of

its relationship with small-scale miners (Mines and Geosciences Bureau, 2009).

These men resist government efforts to establish larger mines, instead turning to

the NPA, which approves the opening of small-scale operations (Crisis Group

Interview, 2010), NPA regulars may even be mining themselves (Crisis Group

Interview, 2010). The CPP, while officially opposing destruction of the

environment, considers such limited extraction acceptable as it is not used for

export (Crisis Group Interview, 2010). The NPA targets small businesses as well.

The owner of a fleet of trucks transporting gravel and sand from a quarry in the

Davao area pays 5,000 pesos ($115) per year for each truck (Crisis Group

Interview, 2010). The NPA also levied a tax of four pesos (ten cents) per

kilogram on banana vendors in New Bataan in the Compostela Valley, until the

military increased its presence (Crisis Group Interview, 2010).Other businesses

may be taxed a percentage of their total profits (Crisis Group Interview, 2010)

Operations. The group carries out raids and ambushes to “harass” state

security forces and seize weapons. In the weeks before the holiday ceasefire

began, Maragusan Township in the Compostela Valley saw two clashes. On 30

November in Barangay Paloc, around 40 NPA fighters from the Rhyme

 24

Petalcorin Command, Front 27, ambushed some 50 soldiers from the 5th Scout

Ranger Company. The soldiers were conducting a foot patrol after receiving

reports that the guerrillas had demanded miners in the Pamintaran area each

pay 50,000 pesos. After an hour-long firefight, six guerrillas had been killed – the

body of one, Ka Boogie, was abandoned by the NPA – and three soldiers were

wounded by explosive devices (Manila Bulletin, 2010).

The NPA challenged the military’s version of the encounter, claiming to

have killed five soldiers and injured ten with three command-detonated claymore

mines, but confirmed that Ka Boogie had been “martyred”.(NPA Southern

Mindanao, 2010).The military has observed an increase in the use of “landmines”

over the last two to three years in Davao and Caraga. The explosives are

detonated in advance of an approaching column of soldiers, as they seem to

have been in the 30 November attack. Senior officers believe they are made

using materials provided by mining companies (Crisis Group Interview, 2010).

The government peace panel has indicated it will raise the issue during peace

talks (Daily Inquirer, 2011).

On 5th December, another clash occurred in Barangay Tandik, also within

Maragusan Township. Two units from the Scout Rangers were conducting an

early morning foot patrol when around 30 NPA attacked. The soldiers returned

fire, killing an NPA fighter armed with an M-16 rifle that the military recovered

(Crisis Group Interviews, 2011).The 10th infantry division subsequently released

a statement about the slain guerrilla. Juanito “Jun Jun” Bustamante was from

Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur and had been a conductor on a jeepney until its
 25

owner sold the vehicle in early 2010. After briefly working as a bamboo cutter in

Toril district, Davao City, he told his family in mid-May that he was going to

Manila to look for work. In fact, he joined the NPA according to the 10 th Infantry

Division.

The NPA often seizes weapons during such operations. At other times,

the guerrillas plan raids expressly for this purpose, known as agaw armas. On

the evening of 9 December in Barangay Mapula, Paquibato District, Davao City,

Ka Parago’s 1st Pulang Bagani Command raided the Bahani Long Range

Platoon, a patrol base manned by lumad CAFGUs under the command of AFP

Corporal Fresilo Dosel. Eight paramilitaries ran away while one surrendered

along with Dosel. The guerrillas made off with four M-1 Garands, two carbines,

an M-16, a 12- gauge shotgun, a radio and ammunition. Because the NPA can

secure a steady stream of weapons through such operations, the military is trying

to restrict its access to ammunition (Davao Sun-Star, 2010).

Government Assistance for NPA Returnees

An article of Xinhua (2018) reported that the government of Philippine

President Rodrigo Duterte is offering cash and livelihood to lure leftist rebels to

abandon the armed struggle and start a new life, according to government

information. The government has created a coordinating body, Task Force Balik-

Loob, tasked to implement its fresh efforts to reintegrate former rebels into the

society. The program pursues a comprehensive, integrated, community-based

national program that is locally-implemented to address the legal status and

 26

security of former rebels as well as their economic, social, psychological

rehabilitation need.

Duterte has decided to pursue localized peace talks with the New People's

Army (NPA) rebels after formal talks with the National Democratic Front (NDF)

crumbled in June 2018. The NDF is representing the Communist Party of the

Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the NPAs. The Task Force Balik-Loob has

published the benefits that surrendering rebels can avail of under the so-called

Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

Additionally, the benefits include a monetary reward amounting to 191,000

pesos (roughly 3,603 U.S. dollars) broken down into reintegration assistance

amounting to 21,000 pesos (roughly 396.19 U.S. dollars), employment

assistance amounting to 100,000 pesos (roughly 1,887 U.S. dollars), immediate

assistance worth 15,000 pesos (roughly 283 U.S. dollars), livelihood assistance

50,000 pesos (roughly 943 U.S. dollars) and conditional transitional grant of

5,000 pesos (roughly 94 U.S. dollars). Aside from the monetary incentives,

returning rebels will also be paid for every firearms, explosives and ammunitions

that they return to the government. They also conditioned that the amount will

depend on the condition of the firearms. The government accepts any kind of

firearms, according to the poster, including revolver, pistol, shotgun, sub-machine

gun, light machine gun, heavy machine gun, grenade launcher, rifle, vintage

firearms and even "home-made" guns called "paltik." Returnees can also get

modified conditional cash transfer, housing access to government services,

 27

college tuition and stipend, medical assistance, legal assistance and

psychosocial assistance.

The Duterte administration has shifted to talk to local NPA commanders

after talks with the CPP collapsed. Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque has

said that localized talks are "nationally orchestrated, centrally directed, and

locally supervised and implemented," adding that "the constitutional integrity and

sovereignty will not be compromised." The CPP began its armed struggle in

1969. It has launched ambuscades since in an effort to overthrow the

government through guerrilla warfare. The rebellion reached its peak in 1987

when it boasted 26,000 armed guerrillas. However, the movement has since

dwindled due to differences in strategy and tactics and the arrests of many of its

top leaders in the late 1980s, at present the military estimates these armed

rebels at around 4,000 (Xinhua, 2018).

Furthermore, Laude (2018) uttered that at least 217 former New People’s

Army (NPA) rebels received benefits worth P15.6 million from the government,

the Department of National Defense (DND) announced. Reynaldo Mapagu,

defense undersecretary for civil, veterans and retiree affairs and chairman of the

Task Force Balik Loob, welcomed the rebel returnees in a ceremony recently

held in Agusan del Sur. Within the said year, the DND announced the surrender

of 134 NPA rebels in Bicol. Each surrenderee received livelihood assistance

worth P65, 000 from the Department of the Interior and Local Government. As

this developed, a communist guerrilla was killed in an encounter with government

troopers in Barangay Policarpio, San Luis, Agusan del Sur on Friday of 2018.
 28

Capt. Rodolfo Cordero, 401st Infantry Battalion (IB) spokesman, said that an

M16 rifle and improvised explosive devices were recovered at the scene. Brig.

Gen. Andres Centino, 401st IB commander, thanked residents for helping

authorities locate the rebels.

In addition, the government promised to teach 25 former communist

rebels in the province livelihood skills to hasten their reintegration into local

communities. The 25 former members of the New People’s Army from North

Cotabato's adjoining Arakan, Magpet and President Roxas towns yielded in

batches to the Army's 19th Infantry Battalion in recent months. The former NPAs

and representatives from the office of TESDA in Region 12 held an initial

dialogue on the mechanics of the short-term vocational courses they need for

them to have sources of income (PhilStar, 2018).

The military said the rebels pledged their loyalty to the government after

learning about the localized reintegration program extended by the government.

Gaerlan said that they assist those who surrendered in enrolling under the

Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program. He said the program will

ensure that the former rebels will be taught technical skills to assist them in their

livelihood. At least 50 former NPA rebels completed their technical skills and

earned their National Certification II (NC) certificate provided by the Technical

Education and Skills Development Authority in Plaridel town, Misamis Occidental

(Pareño, 2018).
 29

Attribution Theory

As perceivers of social behaviors, humans are constantly trying to make

sense of the world around them; we want to know why a person performed a

behavior. According to Kelley (as cited in Attribution theory, 2006), when a

particular behavior is perceived, the perceiver attempts to assign causality and

attributes the behavior more strongly to either internal or external causes.

Attribution theory is the prime theoretical tool that will be employed in this

research which was inspired by Weiner’s ideas.

Attribution was first studied by Heider, who referred to attribution as “naïve

psychology” because people constantly infer the causes of other’s behavior (p.

5). Kelley recapitulated attribution referring to the theory as merely “common

sense” (p. 108). According to Kelley, behaviors may be attributed to internal

causes such as dispositional characteristics, traits, or attitudes or to external

causes such as the situation the person was in. Kelley offers two cases in which

people attempt to assign causality. The first case occurs when the attributor has

multiple observations of a person’s behavior with which to infer causality (termed

covariation). This situation is ideal because the observer takes into account three

dimensions of causal analysis: consensus, consistency and distinctiveness

(Kelley as cited in Attribution Theory, 2006). The second case in which an

attribution attempts to assign causality occurs when he or she has only a single

observation (termed configuration).

In the case of the rebels who have surrendered to the government, a

growing number of survey studies have begun to map out why individuals joined
 30

armed non-state groups and why they eventually left (Arjona and Kalyvas, 2012).

The observer would attempt to determine causality by analyzing whether the

person’s actions were similar to other people in the same situation, (consensus),

consistent over time, and only occur as a result to that particular stimulus (Kelley

as cited in Attribution Theory, 2006). Based upon these considerations, the

observer would determine whether the causes of the person’s behavior were due

to internal characteristics or situational factors. Research on attribution, including

the present study, usually involves this kind of multiple observation scenario

through multiple perspectives in which the perceiver does have the luxury of

multiple explanations (Eagly & Chaiken as cited in Attribution Theory, 2006).

Whereas the reasons to enlist with rebel groups were diverse, motives for

defection were more uniform – more than 43% of respondents answered that

their primary motive to exit was either “to be with the family” or “to regain liberty”.

Furthermore, while security was largely unimportant as a motive for enlistment,

more than 1/5 of respondents exited due to different types of threats,

mistreatment or fear in a survey from Global Associates for Health Development

(GAHD), two of the three most common reasons to exit were “mistreatment” and

“pressure from military operations” (Rosenau et al., 2014). When considering

these numbers, it should also be noted that many ex-combatants were initially

reluctant to admit that they had exited due to fear. Instead, they initially

mentioned innocuous motives such as missing their families, only to later on

mention that they suspected that they were about to be punished by their

commander, or feared for their life during combat. Hence, it seems plausible that
 31

the survey responses may in fact under-report the importance of fear in

motivating defection (Jonsson, 2014).

Attribution is typically not measured as a dichotomous variable, but rather

a continuum. When measuring causality, researchers do not ask a person wholly

attribute a behavior to internal or external causes but rather to employ a scale in

which both are considered. The findings – that security was a major motive for

defection, and that security concerns were related to more internal than to

external threats – diverges from previous research on motives (Attribution

Theory, 2006).

Attribution theory helps the research under study in a way that it offers to

dig out all the possible reasons why NPA returnees chose to surrender to the

government and to determine if the reintegration is effective and sustainable into

civilian life in order to prevent a new escalation of the conflict. In the short term,

ex-combatants who do not find peaceful ways of making a living are likely to

return to conflict. According to Weiner’s (as cited in Attribution Theory, 2006)

extended attribution theory metaphor, life is a courtroom, and we are all judges

with the ability to observe behavior and view people as right or wrong, guilty or

innocent. Synthesizing previous research from the field of psychology, he

describes the process of responsibility in which people observe an outcome,

determine the cause, assign responsibility, produce blame and eventually punish

the individual.

In the event of an individual causality, the perceiver will assign

responsibility to the rebel. Responsibility for behavior means that the person is
 32

accountable for the state of affairs and can be rightfully punished for this. Blame,

different than responsibility, not only makes the person accountable for the

situation but blame “conveys emotional negativity” and is the antecedent to

punishment (p. 14). “Responsibility presupposes guilt” and guilt is punishable

(Ross as cited in Attribution Theory, 2006). In contrast, in the event of situational

causality, the perceiver will assign causality to the circumstance(s) and the

responsibility-to-punishment sequence stops. Instead of punishing the

transgressor after taking responsibility, they were given amnesties by the

government to renew their lives. Therefore when external attributions are made,

and responsibility is taken from the individual and placed upon the situation, guilt

and punishment are less likely consequences. Apologia becomes relevant once

again because of its connection to external attribution.

Thus, the reintegration process of rebels is indeed important. This is

because disarmament and demobilization of combatants would be meaningless

without the creation of fresh socio-economic opportunities for the ex-combatants,

which would prevent them from reconsidering their violent past efforts. Indeed,

experience has shown that frustrated and unemployed ex-combatants have been

involved in activities that ultimately lead to resurgence of insecurity in post-

conflict states (Watson, 2009). Therefore, reintegration strategies are undertaken

after disarmament and demobilization, which often involve direct monetary

packages, provision of job opportunities, skills acquisition programs, income-

generation enterprises and other social reintegration policies to ex-combatants in

exchange for their commitment not to take up arms against the state again
 33

(Knight, 2008). Despite the potential of the reintegration program in peace-

making process, the concept has not been spared of criticism.

 34

Chapter 3

METHOD

This section presented the assumptions and rationale for a qualitative

design, type of design used, participants, instruments, data gathering procedure,

trustworthiness and authenticity and ethical considerations.

Research Design

The major methodological framework that we utilized in this study is a

qualitative multiple case study design. This was used to have an in-depth

analysis and understanding on the lives of NPA Returnees in Cateel.

According to Mora (2010) qualitative research is “by definition exploratory,

and it is used when we don’t know what to expect, to define the problem or

develop an approach to the problem. It is also used to go deeper into issues of

interest and explore nuances related to the problem at hand (para. 2).” In the

same vein, it is an inquiry that assumes that individuals create social realism in

the form of individuals, make social realism in the form of meanings and

interpretations, and these are said to be transitory and situational (Gall, Borg &

Gall, 1996).

This study is a multiple case study because it allowed the researcher to

explore the phenomena under study through the use of a replication strategy.

The replication strategy allowed the researcher to identify possible patterns in the

data and explore them by returning to the field for more data. Reliable application

of these techniques ensureds that explanations for the phenomena under study
 35

developed from the data are verified during the course of the research process

(Strauss & Corbin, 1998). As noted by Yin (2003), he explained that when the

researcher chooses to do a multiple case study he was able to analyze the data

within each situation and also across different situations, unlike when a single

case study is chosen. According to Baxter & Jack (2008) and Stake (1995), in a

multiple case study, the researcher studied multiple cases to understand the

similarities and differences between the cases. Therefore the researcher can

provide the literature with important influences from its differences and

similarities according to Vannoni (2014; 2015).

Furthermore, Yin asserted that having two or more cases will yield a

robust result. Moreover, she emphasized that the pieces of evidence from this

case is often considered more compelling, and the over-all study is therefore

regarded as being more robust. This is why in this study, we included five (5)

NPA returnees and five (5) key informants then compared the data and results

that emerged from the analysis.

Furthermore, Jick (1979) stated that in order for the researchers to create

innovative ways in understanding a case, it is advantageous to use triangulation.

This will not just increase the confidence of the study but can also reveal unique

findings and provide clearer understanding of the problem. This was supported

by Denzin (1970) who states that a study that utilizes triangulation will increase

the validity, strength, and interpretative potential of a study. It also decreases

investigator biases and provide multiple perspectives.

 36

Thus, we utilized data analysis triangulation. That is, according to Patton

(1990), in order to develop a rich context of a study, one should use multiple

sources of data or evidence, for example, observations, interviews, documents,

and even surveys (Solomon, 1997) and multiple analytical perspectives, for

example, different cultural or theoretical views (Yin, 1994). Through conducting

in-depth interview (IDI) with the participants and interviewing certain people that

are knowledgeable of the said study also known as key informants, we could be

able to achieve triangulation. Since used two research instruments, we were able

to obtain data analysis triangulation.

Research Locale

The study was focused in Cateel, one of the municipalities of Davao

Oriental, Region XI, Philippines. More specifically, this was conducted at

Taytayan, Cateel, Davao Oriental.

Shown in Figure 1 is the map of the Philippines highlighting the province

of Davao Oriental and the location of the municipality of Cateel. The Philippines

is an archipelago that consists of 7,107 islands with a total land area of 300,000

square kilometers (115,831 sq mi). The islands are divided into three groups:

Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

In particular, Mindanao is the second largest and southernmost major

island in the Philippines. One of the provinces of Mindanao is Davao Oriental. It

is a province located in the Davao Region in Mindanao. Its capital is Mati and

borders Compostela Valley to the west, and Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur

to the north. Davao Oriental is the easternmost province of the country with
 37

Figure 1. Map of Philippines highlighting the Province of Davao Oriental

 38

Pusan Point as the easternmost location. The Philippine Sea, part of the Pacific

Pacific Ocean, on the South by the Municipality of Baganga, and on the West by

the Municipality of Compostela. Cateel is a land of rich and fertile valleys, rolling,

hills, beaches, swamps and vast plains. Also, Cateel is divided into two school

districts, namely: Cateel District I and Cateel Distirct II.

Research Participants

According to Yin (2003), in multiple–case studies design, there are no

hard-and-fast rules about how many cases are required to satisfy the

requirements of the replication strategy—-Yin suggests that six to ten cases, if

the results turn out as predicted, are sufficient to “provide compelling support for

the initial set of propositions” (1994, p. 46). In this light, we had included 10

participants in this research. This comprised five (5) for in-depth interview (IDI)

and five (5) for key informant interview (KII).

These participants are residents of Cateel and have lived in the said place

since birth. They are born Mandaya and their mother tongue is Dabawenyo or

Mandayan dialect. They are currently residing at Cateel, Davao Oriental and are

living a normal life.

We utilized purposive and snowball sampling in order to get the research

needed participants. Purposive sampling is a non-probability sampling technique

that uses criteria in choosing the appropriate participant to participate in the study

while snowball sampling locates one or two key individuals, and then ask them to

name other likely informants.

 39

The participants in this study were carefully chosen to heighten the

discussion on their experiences. As such, only those returnees who have at least

five (5) years’ experience in rebel work and functioned in Cateel can participate.

Furthermore, the participants are resident of Taytayan, Cateel, Davao Oriental.

He or she is a former rebel or a former member of the New People’s Army and

surrendered or returned to the government. On the other hand, the five (5) key

informants came from the local government officials, professionals, police

officers/army officials and ordinary citizens and must be a resident of Cateel for

at least 5 long years now. They must be 18 years old or above. They could share

their knowledge using any dialect that they feel they’re comfortable to use with.

Research Instrument

In order to gather the data, we employed In-depth Interview (IDI) and key

informant interview (KII) as research instruments. In-depth interview is an

instrument in qualitative research wherein the researchers will gather the data

first hand from the participants by asking open-ended questions. Key Informant

Interview, on the other hand, can help determine not only what people do but

why they do it. Such interviews are excellent for documenting people’s reasons

for their behavior and people’s understandings or misunderstanding of issues.

To ensure the confidentiality of the participants, their names are not

required to be in the interview. Field notes were also utilized to jot down the non-

verbal actions of the participants in the interview. Non-verbal actions must be

written down for this will not be covered in the voice recording application.
 40

According to Krueger (1998), it is very useful to utilize tape recording in

interviews.

Data Gathering Procedures

Before gathering the data, we met with the participants and provided them

a written form that describes the research goal and purpose. After reading the

consent form, participants signed the document that shows their voluntary

participation in the study.

In gathering data, we used voice recording app in our smartphones to

document the utterances of the participants. However, the voice recording was

done after the consent and cooperation was sought from the participants. Also,

during the interview, one jotted down the participant’s answers and the other

observed and took down all the non-verbal actions of the interviewee.

Data Analysis

We employed the Miles and Huberman framework for qualitative data

analysis in analyzing the data gathered. This type of data analysis was

considered appropriate for the present study. There are three main components

of the said framework: data reduction, data display, and drawing and verifying

conclusions (Punch, 2005). These components involved coding, taking notes,

and developing propositions.

Before data analysis start, we transcribed, translated and encoded the

data that was recorded in the voice recording application. We listened to the data

again and again to ensure that all information is transcribed. Further, we

 41

translated all the non-English answers to the English language. Then, data

analysis commenced.

Data reduction is the organizing and summarizing of data, and omitting

irrelevant information gathered from interviews, field notes and observations. At

this stage, we shall refer to the research questions first to pick responses that

answer the question. All throughout the analysis, we will go back to the research

questions of the study as a guide, thus file sorting method will be utilized.

Data display, on the other hand, is the way we will present the conclusions

from a mass of data. In this study, examples of answers from participants shall

be presented in every research question. The participants’ responses will have

an assigned code.

Conclusion, Drawing and Verification will occur together with data display.

In order to achieve this, we will be guided by the research questions and the

existing data that are already summarized and sorted as themes.

Trustworthiness and Authenticity

In order to achieve validity and reliability, we used credibility,

transferability, dependability and confirmability techniques of Lincoln and Guba

(1985) in Balili, Agustin, Falculan, Miguel and Robles (2013), in conducting this

qualitative study. The following paragraphs elucidated the processes of achieving

each technique.

With the intention of making the research more credible, we employed an

in-depth interview and key informant interview. Through this, triangulation was

attained. Triangulation is the combination of two or more data sources,

 42

investigators, methodological approaches, and theoretical perspectives (Denzin,

1970; Kimchi, Polivka, & Stevenson, 1991), or analytical methods (Kimchi et al.,

1991) within the same study. In this study, we utilized trangulation technique with

the aid of IDI and KII. Additionally, Denzin stated that the goal in research is to

use two or more methods of research to strengthen the design and to increase

the ability to interpret the findings.

Merriam (as cited by Shenton, 2004: 1) stated that external validity or

transferability “is concerned with the extent to which the findings of one study can

be applied to other situations.” In achieving it, we ensured that sufficient

contextual information was provided to readers to relate the findings to their own

positions. The information covered the procedures in gathering, transcribing and

presenting the language data as well as describing each of the participants.

Detailed account of each was evident in the entire study. With these reasons,

future researchers used this research to unravel the untold stories of these NPA

returnees.

To address the issue of dependability, all participants received a

complete copy of the transcripts of the in-depth interview and key informant

interview that was conducted. We assured the participants that they could review

the transcripts and make necessary changes if there was a need to. Through

this, the three core principles accepted in research ethics was attained, namely

the respect for persons, beneficence and justice (Mack et al., 2005).

Nevertheless, each participant was assured that confidentiality was established

 43

all throughout the analysis and presentation of the findings of the data; hence

pseudonyms were used prior to the study,

For confirmability, the entire transcriptions were kept as part of the

personal files which could be easily accessed in case of audit.

Role of the Researchers

We are currently Senior High School students of Cateel Vocational High

School. As learners under Grade 12 Humanities and Social Sciences, it is our

goal to study the current occurrences of the community where we live in. We

therefore believed that in order to know the lived experiences of these returnees,

one should study and unveil the myriad factors contributing to these cases. We

wanted to help the society understand the case or issue understudy to be able to

determine what might be done to support this particular event. With these

reasons, we wanted to discover and explain the lived experiences, in what

manner they were able to cope with their situation after returning and their

insights about being an NPA returnee.

We took the role of participant-observer in the study. This means that we

are the one who conducted and administered the in-depth and key informant

interview.

Ethical Considerations

In order to address ethical issues concerning confidentiality, consent,

access and human participants’ protection, we adhered to the ethical guideline in

 44

qualitative research by Mack et. Al. (2005). According to them, a research must

assure the respect for persons, beneficence and justice.

Vulnerable individuals, such as the old, the young, the sick or the mentally

impaired, were entitled, on grounds of human dignity, caring, and fairness, to

special protection against abuse, discrimination, deception or exploitation. As

cited in the Canterbury Christ Church University (2008), respect for individuals is

expressed by recognizing that their autonomy and right to self-determination

underpin their ability to make judgments and decisions for themselves.

Beneficence required a commitment to minimizing the risks associated

with research, including psychological and social risks, and maximizing the

benefits that accrue to research participants (Mack et al. as cited by Family

Health International, 2011).

Justice required a commitment to ensuring a fair distribution of the risks

and benefits resulting from research. Those who take on the burdens of research

participation should share in the benefits of the knowledge gained. Or, to put it

another way, the people who are expected to benefit from the knowledge should

be the ones who are asked to participate (Mack et al. as cited by Family Health

International, 2011).

In achieving ethics in this research, there was confidentiality of the

research participants. They were given consent forms for voluntary submission

on the research. Furthermore, their names on their consent form were blackened

completely using a marker for confidentiality purposes. It was also assumed that

the participants did not have any misgiving with regard to the data that were
 45

gathered. During the interviews to support the findings of the study, pseudonyms

were used for the participant/s whenever we conduct research on people, the

well-being of research participants must be the top priority. The statements of the

problem are always of secondary importance. This means that if a choice must

be made between doing harm to a participant and doing harm to the research, it

is the research that is sacrificed (Mack et. al, 2005).

 46

Chapter 4

DIANA

This section presented the discussion on the presentation and analysis of

findings on the data gathered from the first participant, Diana. The information

that we got from every responses were useful to analyze the data that we have

gathered. Moreover, it answered the following research questions:

Lived Experiences of NPA Returnees in Cateel

The first participant of our study is Diana, her pseudonym. Diana is 54

years old and she lives in Bayong, Brgy. Taytayan, Cateel, Davao Oriental. She

has been part of the New People’s Army for 13 years. Currently, they have their

own rice farm as source of living.

The following paragraphs expound the lived experiences of Diana

according to the themes analyzed from the data gathered.

Enjoys Freedom from the Struggles Experienced inside the NPA

According to our first interviewee, there is a great difference between the

lives before as a rebel compared to her life right now as civilian. Since she is not

part of the revolutionary movement anymore, she has the right to roam freely

without the fear of being caught by the authorities, visit her relatives and find a

source of living for their own expense.

DC&EMM: “Uno-uno mo ma describe yang

experience mo (interviewee coughs on the
background) during sang transition mo gikan pagka
rebelde hangtud sang yaging sibilyan kaw?” (How can
 47

you describe your experiences during the transition

from being a rebel until you become a civilian?)

P1Q3R1: “Problima sang pamilya, na usahay dida ka

duaw kamingaw nimo agwantahon nalang, unya e
compare ko sa gawas, sa gawas napud ka nga maka
duaw ka sa imong pamilya. Adlaw-adlaw ka mo duaw
unya bahin pud sa pagkaon bintah gyud kay apil
dakaw man maglihok di man ka makaingon na
magtago tago paka gawason magsuroy-suroy. Sa
panginabuhi mao nay isa ka kuan diha bali, e
compare pud nato sa bukid lahi pud kaysa diri sa
gawas.” (Problem of the family, that sometimes you
miss them but you can do nothing because you can’t
visit them, compared to civilian life you are free visit
your family all the time. In terms of earning money for
your needs you are free, you are not hiding anymore.
If we compare our living there, it has a big difference
compared to my life here.)

In addition, the abovementioned perception is related to the response

below. Informants believe that former rebels felt glad on the liberty they gained

after surrendering to the government for finally, they were able to reunite with

their families and received benefits that help them in their reintegration. KII-04

shared the following:

“Una-una nakabalik sila sa ilang pamilya, nag-hatag

ang gobyerno sa ila ug trabaho para di na sila
maglibog sa ilang panginahanglanon sa matag adlaw,
karon ang ilang mga pamilya sad nalipay pud na naa
na sila sa panggamhanan.” (Firstly, they were able to
return to their families, our government gives those
works for them not to worry for their daily needs, now
their families are also happy that they are now in their
home.)

According to Andreouli, Howarth & Lopez (2015), participants wanting to

be recognized as ‘ordinary’ social actors, tried to reintegrate by leaving their past

behind and being open to new experiences. On this basis, citizenship could be
 48

understood as the vehicle linking the experience of reintegration with the

construction of a better life.

In addition, Veale supported that having an economic independence, one

can also achieve equality and self-confidence, as the person who is economically

independent is also free from the tussles of life (2006).

Received Inadequate Support from the Government

Diana said that although there is support from the government, it is still a

challenge for her especially that she and her family do not have enough sources

to suffice their needs given that they are just beginning to live a new and

peaceful life outside the rebel group. However, after they have adjusted to the

civilian life, they were able to manage the problems they have encountered

especially in terms of acquiring basic needs.

DC&EMM: “Awon bay mga problima na yasinati mo?

During ng knmo pagbalik ngadi, yang pangibuhi?”
(Are there any problems you encountered after the
reintegration?)

P1Q4R1: “Natural bag-ong sugod maglisud gyud ta

wapa man kita maka pundar ng kanato panginabuhi
kay pangita mo doon, kan-on mo doon, muarag wa pa
gyud maka sukad pero sa pagka karon maka sukad
na gyud.” (Naturally, at first it would be difficult,
because we don’t have job yet, what you earn now is
what you eat now, but now my life is better.)

In relation to the literature from an article of Xinhua (2018), the

government of the Philippines is offering cash and livelihood to lure leftist rebels

to abandon the armed struggle and start a new life. In this regard, the second
 49

participant has expressed that they received insufficient support from the

government which leave them to pursue civilian life on their own.

DC&EMM: “Awon bay yatabang ng gobyerno sang

paglutas ng problima, unan yang itabang kanmo ni
mayor te?” (Did the government help you in your
problems? What kind of help did he mayor gave to
you?)

P1Q9R3: “Yang tabang lang ni mayor kanami pag

plastar, na tabangan nato ni sila di na nato lisud
lisuron, plastaron nato ngini, na wada kami pahirapi
ng mga pulis.” (The only help that our Mayor gave us,
is that he settled our lives and the police didn’t
prolong our struggles.)

In association with the Attribution Theory (2006), the reintegration process

of rebels would be meaningless without the creation of fresh socio-economic

opportunities for the ex-combatants, which would prevent them from

reconsidering their violent past efforts. This is because disarmament and

demobilization of combatants has shown that frustrated and unemployed ex-

combatants have been involved in activities that ultimately lead to resurgence of

insecurity in post-conflict states (Watson, 2009).

Experienced Positive Treatment from the Community

According to Hopkins & Blackwood (2011) that participating in alternative

social spheres as volunteers, members of associations, neighborhood

assemblies and informal groups of friends and sport, where they can gain

positive visibility and acceptance from the community and, therefore, do not feel

their identity threatened.

DC&EMM: “Uno-uno yang pagtanaw kanmo ng

komunidad? (How did the community treat you?)
 50

P1Q5R1: “Awww, okay man. Wa man mi ingon na

tratar nila nga dili mayo, ok man. Wasa laong na e
kuan e pahirapan ang ilaha lang pag surrender namo
tabang sa pagpuyo na malinaw” (It’s okay… I can’t
say that they mistreated us. They made us surrender
to help us, to live peacefully.)

With respect to the response above of Diana, she stated that the

community members treat them well and did not inflict any untoward instances

that may harm their reintegration as returnees.

KII-02 shared his thoughts about it stating that returnees were treated

nicely by the people around them because they have relinquished already.

“Dili man pud ingon nato nga bastoson sila kay

siyempre nag-surrender na sila.” (Especially now that
they are in the lowlands, not also ahh… we could not
also disrespect them because they already
surrendered.)
Moreover, informants observed that the community did not do any

unpleasant treatment toward the returnees. KII-05 shared his thoughts about it:

“Sang yaobserbahan ko wa say maraat na pagtrato

kanilan ng mga otaw. Irespeto sa silan kundi
itambagan pa gani silan na di da musud ngadto kay
malisod yang panginbuhi. Silan pa gani yang
muestorya na malisod yang kanilan kaagi panahon na
ting-uwan, yabulabog yang kanilan operation, agaw
gani yabahada silan.” (As what I have observed,
there’s nothing unpleasant from the treatment of the
people towards them. They were being respected and
was even advised to refrain from going back because
it was difficult. They are even the one who would
share that their experiences there were really hard
everytime it rained, their operation was raided, that’s
why they decided to leave the group.)

Effective social reintegration therefore indicates towards the forgiveness

and acceptance of ex-combatants on the part of the community, and the

 51

mechanisms utilized to achieve this enable ex-combatants to ‘overcome his

acquired identity as ‘‘a killing machine’’ and regain a civilian identity after which

he ‘‘becomes a person again’’’ (Lundin as cited by Bowd & Özerdem, 2013).

Coping with the Struggles of Being a Former Member of the NPA

Working Hard to Cope with their Needs

The first participant managed the problems they have come across

through working hard and striving to suffice their needs to survive life. They have

tended and cultivated their land and planted rice to meet the needs of her family.

DC&EMM: “Ika…sunod kay uno-uno mo pagka

maneho ng problima o pagsulay na yaabot kanmo?
Ngawon for example wakaw kahatagi ng livelihood
program o tabang ng gobyerno unan e himo mayo te
para maka bangon?” (How did you deal with your
problems that you encountered? For example when
you haven’t received any livelihood from the
government, what did you do to survive?)

P1Q8R1: “Galihok sa amoang sariling paningkamot

wa mi mag salig sa tabang sa gobyerno.” (We’ve
worked hard on our own, we didn’t rely on the
government.)

DC&EMM: “Ahh like unan ngawon klase na

paningkamot like ga tanom kamo?” (Ahh like unan
ngawon klase na paningkamot like ga tanom kamo?)

P1Q8R1: “Ga uma me, nananom (child crying).” (We

tend and plant rice (child crying))

For refugees in the study of Adu & Gyeke (2017), coping strategies, such

as prayer, membership in religious groups, and engaging in income earning

activities provided them strength to deal with challenges. Additionally, some

participants engaged in income earning activities, mainly trading, as a coping

 52

strategy. The repatriation exercise provided some refugees opportunities to

create businesses and to devise creative means of survival. This could reduce

the extent of idleness among refugees and also enhance their livelihoods. A

major coping strategy of refugees is the creation of job opportunities in order to

receive monetary rewards (Dick, 2002). As refugees become embedded in host

communities, they pursue trade and seek employment (Phillips, 2003), not

without difficulties though. Starting a business or finding a job as a refugee is

difficult since it requires an initial capital investment or social networks.

In the case of Diana, she and her family have sowed plants and rice as

their source of living.

Treating Each Other with Respect

As cited in Ozerdem and Podder (2008), Berdal found out that

reintegration programs are meant to increase the potential for economic and

social reintegration of ex-combatants and their families. Supporting this view,

Kingma states that the objective of social reintegration is to create an

environment in which former combatants and their families feel part of, and are

accepted by the community (as cited by Ozerdem and Podder, 2008).

In line with this, Diana handled the people around her nicely and accepted

the community’s treatment without inflicting harm.

DC&EMM: “E uno-uno yang pagdawat kanmo ng mga

otaw sang palibot mo?” (How did the people around
accept you?)

P1Q10R1: “Idawat salang ng madayaw na pag tagad

bali wa man nag ingon na, syempre kami isab wa pud
 53

mi mag kuan sa ilaha.” (They accepted me nicely

because we didn’t do any harm to them also.)

This is also supported by Supan’s study which stated that the perception

of former fighters has changed throughout the process of acquiring civilian life

and are no longer dangerous or harmful to the community (2008). Thus, the

community, in return, treats them with respect.

Received Assistance from the Family

Diana received assistance from her family that helped her overcome her

struggles even though it was just a small amount of money given to them.

DC&EMM: “Uno-uno yakatabang yang kanmo

pamilya sang kanmo sitwasyon?” (How did the family
help you in your situation?)

P1Q11R1: “Tagaan kami ng ginagmay na pinansiyal.”

(They gave us a little financial support.)

In 1994, Francis Cullen famously wrote about the impact of significant

social supports in decreasing crime. Other scholars have since suggested that

social supports are critical for all transition points in life, including after significant

events such as incarceration. Furthermore, continued familial contact during and

after incarceration reduces recidivism and fosters reintegration. Such community

support is important for a variety of reasons. "Access to supportive networks"

improves chances for a successful transition and, "family and other close social

connections are the most likely people to provide the needed emotional and

financial support." These "informal social bonds are the strongest predictors" for

successful reintegration (Kniss, 2013).

 54

Insights of NPA Returnees in Cateel

Being a Former Rebel is Difficult

According to Diana, the life inside the group is indeed difficult since they

are being chased by the government authorities and they need to hide for them

not to be caught.

DC&EMM: “Sunod kay unan yang malaong mo na

realization mo na sidtong kanmo pag apil sidtong
kalihokan unan sitwasyon na kanmo ya realize?”
(Next, what are the learnings or realizations you’ve
got when you joined the rebelion?)

P1Q12R1: “Yang kalihokan lisod gayud, di kaw maka

gawas-gawas, ngit-ngit imong panlantaw kay ngano
di man ka makababa sang ubos kay naga-tago
naman ka.” (In there, you are not free to go out, and
you can’t go out because you are hiding.)

Maslow suggested that the first and most basic need people have is the

need for survival: their physiological requirements for food, water, and shelter.

People must have food to eat, water to drink, and a place to call home before

they can think about anything else. If any of these physiological necessities is

missing, people are motivated above all else to meet the missing needs (2009).

Thus, in the situation of Diana, the difficulties that she experienced motivated her

to surrender and change for the betterment of her and her children’s future.

A Need to Craft more Livelihood Programs

The need to craft more livelihood programs is stressed by Diana during

our data gathering and interview. Hence, the manifestation and realization of

these programs are suggested in the response below.

 55

DC&EMM: “Sang kanmo sariling opinion te kung ikaw

yang gobyerno te, unan kaha yang kanmo pwede
himoon o mahatag sang pariha kanmo na yabiya
sang kalihukan na gusto magbag o ng kinabuhi isip
sibilyan?” (In your own opinion, if you are the
government what can you ppossibly give to those
surrenderees like you, that are willing to change?)

P1Q13R1: “Tabangan nako silan tagaan nako sila

kuan livelihood para maka sugod sa ilahang
panginabuhi.” (I will help them; I will give them a
livelihood for starting their new lives.)

Mattheisen (2012) asserts that unemployment is high among refugees as

it is difficult for them to find opportunities to earn income. A considerable number

of refugees receive overseas remittances as their major livelihood source (Omata

& Kaplan, 2013). High unemployment among refugees could force some of them

to engage in illegal activities which could pose security threats to them and the

host country. However, even though refugees resort to economic activities for

survival, it is imperative that they are provided the necessary assistance that

would facilitate their integration into the host country.

 56

Chapter 5

CARDO

This section presented the discussion on the presentation and analysis of

findings on the data gathered from the second participant, Cardo. The

information that we obtained from every responses were useful to analyze the

data that we have gathered. Moreover, it answered the following research

questions:

Lived Experiences of NPA Returnees in Cateel

The second participant of this study is Cardo, not his true name. He lived

at Sitio Tomayog, Brgy. Taytayan, Cateel, Davao Oriental and a member of NPA

group for 5 years. He decided to join the rebellion on 1892 when he was

recruited by the members of the New People’s Army. He was now a father of 3

and a grandfather, living with his wife, and a GKK President of their chapel.

The following paragraphs expound the lived experiences of Cardo

according to the themes analyzed from the data gathered.

Enjoys Freedom from the Struggles Experienced inside the NPA

The second participant of this study felt happy that he was able to

surrender and has moved away from the grasp of violence and complexities of

life experienced whilst he was still part of the rebel group. His new-found life as

civilian has made him a better person and is obviously glad of his life right now.

AJCV&MNP: “Malaong mo ba yang kanmo ya sinati

na during gani ninong ng kanmo pag acquire mo na
pagka sibilyan. Awon ba positibo na kasinatian na
 57

pwede mo matiyab o ma laong?” (Can you tell us your

experiences during transition? Is there any positive
experience that you can share with us?)

P2Q3R1: “Sa kanak gayud pag kuan madayaw gayud

na ako agaw ya surrender ako sang kalihokan kay
mapait gayud yang kahimtang. About agaw ng yauli
da gayud ako laong pa na masayang masaya da
gayud ako (laughs).” (In my own observation, it is
really good that I surrendered from the group because
the living there is cruel. In terms of going back, I
became really happy about it (laughs).)

P2Q7R1: “Madayaw doon. Kay menyo da ako awon

da kanak anak haw ompo. kay kung adto ako dugay
da ako kalingawan (laughing)” (It’s better right now.
Since I am already married and have children and
grandchildren. Because if were still there, I bet I’m
already forgotten.)

The relatives of these returnees are of great help and motivation to their

surrender. Also, the returnees realized that the life in the bush is indeed very

hard for them due to the problems they have encountered. In relation to this, KII-

02 conveyed that,

“So sang sagad na yasagap ko medyo sila naka

amgo da or na realize na yang pag rebelde ampan
gayud future o kadayawan gayud nilan na mahatag
ng partido so yakadesisyon silan labi da mga
ginikanan usahay magada ng mga mensahi sang
masa ngadto kanilan na pwede magbalik kanak
kanilan anak. So para katagaan na importansya yang
kanato gobyerno labi da yang gobyerno nato
magkampamya gayud na mo-surrender yang mga
rebeldi. So yaan yang yatanaw ko na yag balik yang
mga rebelde sang gobyerno aside na awon
kadayawan o benepisyo na makamang gikan sang
gobyerno.” (In what I have heard that they realize that
being a rebel has no future or benefits that can be
given by their party so they decided especially the
parents that sometimes carries a message to the
masses that their children may return. So, in order to
give importance our government especially the
 58

government who campaign for the rebels to

surrender? So that’s what I saw that the rebels return
to the government aside that there is a benefit that
can be gained from the government.)

In this light, a study conducted by Saliba found out that freedom leads

man to construct a positive relation with others. Paul Ricoeur believed that

morality should begin from man's desire to fulfill himself. Henri Bergson

contrasted freedom with obligation, while Ricoeur posited a free spontaneous

kind of morality together with the idea of obligation or law. Ricoeur agreed with

Bergson that freedom should be the starting point of moral life, but at the same

time he saw a progress of man in freedom to the idea of law. Ricoeur was

concerned to reconcile freedom and necessity (law) (2000).

For the participant of this research, surrendering as their transit into

normal residency is perceived as a way to reinforce their civilian identity and

practice. For its part, reintegration is understood as a drastic life change as it

demands agency, independence and freedom to perform as citizens; conditions

that were not part of their life as militants of non-state groups.

Gets Prejudiced because of Being a Former Rebel

Cardo expressed his setbacks experienced after surrendering to the

government. Along with his acquisition of civilian life, the community treated him

horribly, pointing him as perpetrator whenever there are killings that have

happened during that time. What’s even worse was that he was imprisoned for

being falsely accused of killing someone.

AJCV&MNP: “Unan yang mga yasinati sang pa

reintegrasyon mo awon bay mga problima mo na ya
 59

atbang?” (What are the problems that you

encountered during reintegration?)

P2Q4R1: “Madaig na problima (laughs) kay ya preso

da ako sang-awon kay ya suspek ako pero way
maraat ko na ihimo. Kay pag awon mapatay na
rebelde suspekan dayun pero way ihimo ko.” (There
are a lot of problems (laughs) since I was imprisoned
before because I was suspected but I did not do
anything wrong. That if a rebel died, I became the
suspect though I did not do something.)

In addition, community members believed that these returnees are

considered dangerous because of the past murder they have committed. KII-05

shred that,

“Pagka-adi da silan ubos yang mga otaw gakuan …

yang mga sibilyan yagrespeto kay gumikan siyempre
yaan na mga otaw gahuna-huna na ngiyan silan dida
mahadlok mupatay.” (After they surrender, the people
respected them because of course, these people
think that the returnees are not afraid to kill anymore.)

According to Ozerdem in his article entitled “How to Assess Social

Reintegration of Ex-Combatants”, he stated that ex-combatants frequently

describe community perceptions of them as negative and indeed may experience

stigmatization. In studies of ex-combatants in South Africa, Gear (2002b) draws

attention to how ex-combatants experience ongoing stigmatization and

stereotyping in their post-military lives. Much of the stigmatization of ex-

combatants is related to communities not understanding them and fearing of

them, regardless of whether or not they are seem as liberators or freedom

fighters or human rights violators. This is primarily because information is limited

and community sensitization is, in most programming, weak and/or non-existent

(Saferworld 2010, p. 33).

 60

Although ex-combatants may be met with discrimination, distrust, stigma

and rejection, as a result of stigmatizing social representations, this also has the

potential to create resistance and efforts to construct new positive

representations and identities for ex-combatants.

Experienced Positive Treatment from the Community

Despite the negative experiences that Cardo has suffered, the other

community members around him still treated him well without the intention of

imposing harm towards his newly-constructed civilian life. On the one hand, he

accepted the community’s treatment and build good relationship with them.

AJCV&MNP: “Unan isab yang madayaw na pag trato

kanmo ng mga otaw?” (What is the positive treatment
that you experienced from the people around you?)

P2Q5R1: “Madayaw sa hinoon yang pag treat nilan

kanak way say hinoon mga intensyon.” (They treated
me well without any malicious intention.)

AJCV&MNP: “Uno-uno mo pagdawat ng trataminto ng

otaw kanmo, sang pamilya mo?” (How did you handle
the treatment of the people, of your family?)

P2Q10R1: “Okay lng kay way man maraat na ihimo

nilan madayaw gayud yang kanami relasyon.” (It’s
fine since they do me no harm and we are in good
terms.)

Also, returnees in the community treated them without indifference. They

are instead used as cohort by the community leaders to help in persuading other

rebels to surrender. KII-05 shared that,

“Sang kanak lang pag tan aw wa silan lain laina ng

kumunidad kung dili igamit ng kanato community
leader ihimo na laong pa nato kabahin sang pag
 61

padagdag ng kuminidad boot pasabot itagaan ng

pansin ng kanato gobyerno.”(In my own observation,
they were not being discriminated by the community
but they were used by the community leader as part
of it which means that the government is giving them
attention.)

In a study of Andreouli, Howarth & Lopez (2015) about reintegration of ex-

combatants in Colombia, it has been shown that the ex-combatants’ attempts to

reintegrate into their community are about seeking spaces to participate as

‘normal’ citizens. Family, schools, neighborhood assemblies, groups of friends

and sport, and local institutions are generally perceived as facilitators of

reintegration as they foster the establishment of new social relations with people

other than ex-combatants. Such places thus provide the opportunity to be

positively recognized as ‘ordinary’ citizens.

In addition, when scrutinizing further the meanings assigned to the idea of

being a citizen and becoming reintegrated, we found that acquiring official legal

documentation was also seen as a way of overcoming the stigma of a combatant

identity, gaining recognition within their communities and also a way to become

citizens. In other words, obtaining official documentation as part of the process of

reintegration emerged as an important factor aiding the construction of their

civilian identity.

Coping with the Struggles of Being a Former Member of the NPA

Working Hard to Cope with their Needs

 62

One of the common problems experienced by the second participant is

poverty. Due to the fact that there is insufficiency in the assistance provided by

the government, after his surrender he went back to his family, worked in labor

jobs to sustain his family’s daily needs, and thrive hard to support them.

AJCV&MN: “Unan yang pinaka raat na problima yang

yasinati mo yang ya problima mo?” (What is the worst
problem that you experienced?)

P2Q4R3: “Yang kapobrehon da gayud kuman nato

yang problima (laughs) kay ga labor lang man kita
amo lang gayud yang yasinati nato na malisud.” (Our
poverty is indeed the main problem that we are facing
(laughs) since I work as a labor so, that, I think is the
difficult experience.)

AJCV&MNP: “Uno-uno mo pag handle sang problima

mo sang una?” (How did you handle your problem
before?)

P2Q9R1: “Aww gatarong gayud sang kuan; yabalik

sang kaugalingon yanginabuhi, maningkamot dalang
gayud magtrabaho.” (Aww… I did really well in, I went
back to my family, find a living, and strive hard to
work.)

AJCV&MNP: “Uno-uno isab pag tabang ng gobyerno

sin-e na problima? Awon bay hinabang?” (How did
the government help you with these problems?)

P2Q10R2: “Way tabang, pero iplastar ako nilan na

laong pa way manghilabot pero yang tabang ampan.”
(There’s no help but they managed to protect me,
however, in terms of support, none.)

According to Mehreteab (2007), implementing a demobilization and

reintegration program in a country emerging from war with little institutional

capacity and lack of administrative coherence is a formidable task. For example,

an inexperienced administration usually tends to over-estimate available

 63

capacities and its ability to coordinate program development and operation.

There is also a tendency to evaluate a post-conflict national economy too

optimistically in the short term, and expect demobilized combatants to become

rapidly independent by finding their own income earning activities. As a

consequence, financial needs for long-term benefit packages and allocations for

rehabilitation, training and reintegration assistance are frequently underestimated

or inadequate.

In support to the response above, Moyo stressed that most of the

participants attested that ex-combatants did demeaning jobs as way of coping

against the challenges of unemployment. Respondents in his study entitled

Coping strategies amongst Ex- combatants: The case of ex ZPRA ex-

combatants in Bulawayo highlighted that ZPRA Ex-combatants worked as cattle

herders in rural communities, garden boys; they did market gardening and other

piece jobs such as clearing the land, building huts and other things for the

community members who did not go to the war. This was due to the fact that they

did not have the milk and honey to sustain themselves (2017).

Insights of NPA Returnees in Cateel

Being a Former Rebel is Difficult

Being in the revolutionary movement for five (5) years, Cardo realized that

the life in the bush with the rebels is difficult compared to the life he is enjoying

right now. He admitted that he is at fault for involving himself with the rebels. In

addition, the group’s pledge to protect him was not met. As time passed by, and
 64

he was able to gradually understand that the group’s promise is futile and

unfulfilled, he deserted the NPA.

AJCV&MNP: “Awon kadi gihapon koniksyon mayo

sang pamilya mayo? Sunod kay unan yang malaong
mo na realization mo na sidtong kanmo pag apil
sidtong kalihokan unan sitwasyon na kanmo ya
realize?” (So you still have connections with your
family. Next, what are the learnings or realizations
you’ve got when you joined the rebelion?)

P2Q12R1: R2: “So, ya sipyat gayud ako sauna kay

way ayo kadi ng kalihokan kay kung ya sabtan ko na
madayaw adto pa ako doon kay yang pasalig lage
nilan na silan mo depensa lagmit adto pa ako doon.”
(“So, I made a mistake before since I realized that the
revolution is futile because if it’s good, I am still part of
the group due to their vow that they will protect me.”)

In Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, he defined safety as a feeling that people

get when they know no harm will befall them, physically, mentally, or emotionally;

security is the feeling people get when their fears and anxieties are low (2015).

A safe and secure environment is one in which the population has the

freedom to pursue daily activities without fear of politically motivated, persistent,

or large-scale violence. Such an environment is characterized by an end to large-

scale fighting; an adequate level of public order; the subordination of accountable

security forces to legitimate state authority; the protection of key individuals,

communities, sites, and infrastructure; and the freedom for people and goods to

move about the country and across borders without fear of undue harm to life

and limb (UNDPKO, 2003).

 65

In light of this context, Cardo realized that the “life in the bush” is really

hazardous and futile not only of the burden he has felt but because his

expectations were not fulfilled.

 66

Encouraging Other Members to Surrender

Cardo adviced the rebels who are still in the NPA to come down and

change their lives for it is evident that the rebel group has nothing against the

government forces. He even joked that the government has their own helicopters

and equipment that can be used in the authority’s advantage against the

insurgents.

AJCV&MNP: “Unan yang kanmo tambag sang adto

pa doon sang kalihokan o adto pa sang npa haw sang
yasurrender da?” (What can you advise to those who
were still in the NPA and to those surrenderees?

P2Q14R1: “Kung ako, mag surrender da kay di

madayaw sa yang yang kanilan kinabuhi kay pareha
sauna na panahon way daan dag anan nato kay yang
gobyerno awon helicopter (laughs) so way gayud dag
anan ng rebeldi. Yang ikatambag ko kanilan panguli
dalang kamo.” (If I am to be asked, they should
surrender because their life there is still unpleasant.
Like before, we don’t have the advantage to win
against the government since they have helicopter
(laughs). What I can advise them is go back.)

Shown in the President’s Report to the People 2016-2018, Transforming

the Nation through Strong and Decisive Leadership: Malasakit at Pagbabago

(2018) that during the visit of the former rebels to Malacañang, Ka Efren said he

and his family left the revolutionary life because they were tired of the armed

struggle, and the ideology of Marxism-Leninism-Maoism was no longer true and

relevant to society. He acknowledged that through the E-CLIP, the former rebels

are now seeing the importance given to them by the government, especially the

President. Ka Efren shared that since he surrendered with his family; the

government has treated them well, and has fulfilled its promises of giving them
 67

various assistance such as housing and livelihood. He now appreciates having

the chance to live free without the fear of being arrested or killed and spending

more quality time with his son. He encouraged his comrades who are still active

in the NPA, Ka Efren wished that they too would surrender, leave the armed

struggle for good, and reunite with the government.

 68

Chapter 6

PINUNO

This section presented the discussion on the presentation and analysis of

findings on the data gathered from the third participant, Pinuno. The information

that we obtained from every responses were useful to analyze the data that we

have gathered. Moreover, answered the following research questions:

Lived Experiences of NPA Returnees in Cateel

The third participant of this study was named Pinuno, a pseudonym. He

lives in Sitio Yapsay, Brgy. Taytayan, Cateel, Davao Oriental. Pinuno is 55 years

old with 12 children. He spent 16 years of his life serving the New People’s Army.

Right now, he is already a grandfather and a father of a soon-to-be policewoman.

They have a little sari-sari store and farming is their source of living.

The following paragraphs expound the lived experiences of Pinuno

according to the themes analyzed from the data gathered.

Enjoys Freedom from the Struggles Experienced inside NPA

Pinuno said that the life within the NPA is far different than the life as a

normal resident. He conveyed that as returnee, he is no longer chased by the

authorities and he is now free to rove around. Also, returning to the government

means achieving a legal identity which he used to live normally and peacefully

with his family. With the knowledge taught to him by the group, he used it as an

opportunity to reconstruct a new life away from danger and violence.

 69

MNP&DC: “Malaong mo ba yang kanmo kasinatian

na kanmo kabag-ohan sang pag rebelde doon na
sibilyan da kaw? Ma describe mo ba, during sang pag
transition mo kol gikan sang kanmo pag rebelde
hangtod doon na yasurrender da kaw?” (Can you tell
us your experiences during transition? Is there any
positive experience that you can share with us?)

P3Q3R1: “Lahi na gyud ang kuan… kay lahi naman

ang gawasnong pagkinabuhi… (laughs) wa na may
mag gukod-gukod sa imoha, legal naman.” (It is very
different… because the outside life is very different…
(laughs) no one will chase you anymore because
you’re already living lawfully.)

MNP&DC: “Unan yang madyaw na kasinatian na

kanmo yaambit na makatabang sang kanmo pag-
bago?” (What are the pleasant experiences that you
receive that would help you in changing?)

P3Q3R4: “Ahh… naa gihapon mga… ang amo

manggud ginatudlo gud kay panginabuhian,
pagplastar sa panginabuhi, sa kinabuhi kung unsaon
pagpadagan para di maglisod ang mga tawo.” (Ahh…
there are still… it’s because our teaching is all about
livelihood, on how to arrange lives, in life on how to
run for the people not to struggle.)

Returnees are able to experience better life outside the NPA. Returning to

the government is a great leeway for them to establish a healthier life legally.

KII-02 stated that,

“Importante gayud ngiyan kay, silan yabalik sang

panggamhanan, yagawasnon silan di silan mahadlok
tapos importante kanilan bisan hain silan legal da
silan. Asta makapanginabuhi da silan, mahimo da
nilan daw unan gusto nilan. Amo gyud yang
importante na sakto na yasurrender silan sang
gobyerno.” (It is indeed important because they have
already came back to the government. They left and
is not afraid already because they are now legal
wherever they go. They could now earn a living and
do whatever they want. Those are what’s important
that they surrendered to the government.)
 70

We see that recognition, for the ex- combatants is not only about being

recognized in everyday interactions with others, but also about gaining formal

recognition from the State (Andreouli & Howarth, 2013). Indeed, the extent to

which one is able to participate in society depends on the extent in which one is

recognized as a citizen (Hopkins & Blackwood, 2011). In this regard, official

documents play a key role not only in constructing a new civilian identity but also

in enabling ex-combatants to participate in different spaces, as students,

employees and legal claimants of state benefits such as health, financial

assistance and so on. Having official documentation enhances both their status

as rights-holders as well as their capacity to make claims (Fox, 2005).

Experienced Positive Treatment from the Community

Our third participant, Pinuno, stated that he experienced treated nicely by

the community he was in. He is respected since he did not wreak harm towards

the receiving neighborhood because he believes that it is not reasonable to hurt

a person without a valid cause.

MNP&DC: “Ahhh… e uno-uno kat pagtanaw isip

gikan sang kalihukan?” (Ahhh… how do they perceive
you thinking that you came from the revolution?)

P2Q5R1: “Naa gihapoy… pagrespito nila kay di man

pud ko kamao mang ligis ug tawo kay dili lalim nga
manakit ta ug isig ka tawo.” (There is still… respect
it’s because I didn’t know how to hurt other people
because it is not easy to hurt other people too.”)
 71

In connection to this, when the community perceived them as former

rebels who wanted to change achieve a better and peaceful life, returnees tend

to think that it is indeed good to surrender. KII-05 shared the following:

“Oo, alangan sa na… di makatabang kanilan… kay

respetohon man silan siyempre ngiyan gahuna-huna
gayud na madayaw kadi mag bag-o kay yang mga
otaw ag respetohan.” (“Yes, of course. It is because
they will be respected and they will think that it’s
better to surrender because people respect you.”)
Social reintegration demands the acceptance of ex-combatants on the

part of the community and a resultant transformation of the military identity of the

ex-combatant. Effective social reintegration of ex-combatants has significant

potential for social cohesion and economic prosperity, with ex-combatants

potentially becoming catalysts for peace building (Bhandari & Robins, 2016).

To support this claim, Hazen’s explanation of social integration positively

suggests that it assists in the reestablishment of acceptable social norms of

behaviour. Such norms often include the pacific settlement of disputes, or the

use of arbitration mechanisms to resolve disputes without resorting to violence.

Other norms include the humane treatment of individuals, respect of human

rights, respect for the principles of democracy, and the establishment of what is

right and wrong behavior. The establishment of these norms and the education of

ex-combatants and youths into this set of norms and patterns of behavior

beneficial to the community are essential for social integration. This

reconditioning of ex-combatants away from violence and toward a respect for

human rights, a rejection of violent means of conflict resolution, and the pursuit of
 72

more constructive means of achieving status, wealth, and security, reduces the

likelihood of a return to violence (Hazen, 2014).

Coping with the Struggles of Being a Former Member of the NPA

Working Hard to Cope with their Needs

Pinuno handled his struggles in life especially in terms of resolving the

problems he had faced through working hard. He also expressed his sentiment

that when one of his family members is sick, he would ask aid from someone

who is easily be called for help.

MNP&DC: “Ahmmm… e uno-uno mo kol pagmaneho

ng mga problema na yaabot kanmo?” (Ahmmm…
how did you manage the problems that comes to you
sir?)

P3Q9R1: “Yaningkamot… na masolbad ang

maagihan na mga problema. Sa mga emergency
kanang naay mga sakit sauna gud wala naman koy
kadaganan, sila ra man siguro ang amoang dali na
kaduolan o makatabang.” (Working hard… to solve
the problems that may go on our way. In emergencies
like some illness, from the past we couldn’t ask help
to anyone, they are the easiest people to be asked for
help.

Unemployment and the need for ex-combatants to find alternative means

of supporting themselves and their families often come with demobilization. Since

ex-combatants foremost have been trained to fight, most ex-combatants lack

relevant job skills. The skills that they obtained during their stay in the armed

groups are seldom in demand on the job market. Furthermore, the majority has

little or no formal education. This makes it difficult for ex-combatants to find

employment in the short-term (Kingma, 2000a:18; Kingma 2000b:28). The fact

 73

that demobilized combatants often acquire families and dependents during the

war, adds to their strain (Collier as cited by Nilsson, 2005).

Insights of NPA Returnees in Cateel

Live with Peace and Integrity

Pinuno has expressed his plea to his fellow returnees. He encouraged

them not to be involved with the group and if possible, conform to the law and

that they should avoid joining armed groups. For, as civilians or returnees, one

could be arrested for letting in and helping criminals.

MNP&DC: “Pamilya…hmmm…madayaw sang

kanmo mga kasinatian kol…unan na mga
pahimangno o tambag yang kanmo pwede mahatag o
malaong sang mga adto pa gihapon sang kalihukan
asta sang mga ya surrender da…unahon napa nato
yang adto sang kalihukan, unan yang matambag mo
kanilan?” (Family…hmmm… it was good for your
experiences… what can you advice or tell to the
people who are still in the revolution and for the
surrenderees…let’s begin with the people who are still
in the revolution, what can you say to them?)

P3Q14R1: “Di na man gyud mi gusto magpatandog

ug sa kalihokan di na mi gusto ana kay sumala gyud
sa balaod sa gobyerno gipalikayan gyud ang
pagsulod sa kalihukan. Kay kung ikaw magpasaka ug
naa sa kalihukan pwede kang kasohan or arestuhon
kay criminal ka kay nagpasaka man pud kag
criminal…” (We really don’t want to be involved in the
revolution, we really don’t want because according to
the law of the government that we should avoid
joining or going back to the group. Because if you join
with them, you will be arrested because it’s a crime in
helping other criminals…)

The military said the rebels pledged their loyalty to the government after

learning about the localized reintegration program extended by the government.

 74

Gaerlan said that they assist those who surrendered in enrolling under the

Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program. He said the program will

ensure that the former rebels will be taught technical skills to assist them in their

livelihood. At least 50 former NPA rebels completed their technical skills and

earned their National Certification II (NC) certificate provided by the Technical

Education and Skills Development Authority in Plaridel town, Misamis Occidental

(Pareño, 2018).
 75

Chapter 7

ALAKDAN

This section presented the discussion on the presentation and analysis of

findings on the data gathered from the fourth participant, Alakdan. The

information that we obtained from every responses were useful to analyze the

data that we have gathered. Moreover, answered the following research

questions:

Lived Experiences of NPA Returnees in Cateel

The fourth participant of this study is aliased as Alakdan. He was 21

years old and a member of NPA for 5 years. He was able to join the said group

because of the NPA members who visited their community acting as civilians.

Alakdan the fourth participant of this study felt happy that he surrenders for he

was able to reunite with his family. His parents had helped him surrender to the

government for him to receive assistance instead of experiencing the

complicated life in the mountains. He is now living with his live-in partner who is

also his fellow returnee.

The following paragraphs expound the lived experiences of Alakdan

according to the themes analyzed from the data gathered.

Experienced Positive Treatment from the Community

Alakdan, one of the NPA returnees, has experienced nice treatment from

the people around him. Despite being part of the rebel group, the receiving
 76

community still accepted him. Aside from experiencing a normal way of life,

Alakdan, was viewed by the people positively, showing goodness towards him.

DC&MNP: “Idawat kaw gihapon nilan?” (Did they

accept you?)

P4Q5R1: “Idawat gihapon.” (They still accepted me.)

P4Q3R1: “Nakaexperience kog kuan ani… kadayaw

ang kaun… ang sibilyan ing ani kadayaw sa gawas
magtanaw.” (“I experience goodness here… good
food, the civilians show goodness in me.”)

Returnees feel that the people still accepted them as soon as they

surrender. KII-01’s response is related to the abovementioned claim of Alakdan.

“Malaking bagay yun kasi iisipin nilang ano ah…

tinutulungan sila um.. kahit na matagal sila sa bundok
eh mararamdaman nilang tanggap sila kapag
bumababa sila kahit ganon na mali yung naging
pananaw sa buhay yung paniniwala nila, bumaba sila
nagsurrender eh tanggap pa rin sila, hindi sila
pinagdududahan na gagawa pa ng masama.” (It’s a
big thing… because they will think that they were
helped… Even though they were in the mountain for
quite some time, they can feel that they are accepted.
Despite believing their wrong outlooks in life, after
surrendering they could feel like they’re
acknowledged without any doubts of doing harm
again.)

Kniss sustained Alakdan’s claim stating that for reentry and reintegration

efforts of the government towards the former rebels, a vital and underutilized

ingredient is community participation, development, and support. That is, the

participation of the community in designing reintegration and reentry practices,

the development of community to better address basic needs, and the support of

community needed for effective transitions. Reentry and reintegration efforts can

be strengthened through the community. Community, as an expression of

 77

supportive relationships, is needed by ex-combatants, and also a means to

address the needs ex-combatants (2013).

He also added that reintegrating persons need a community of supportive

relationships throughout the transition process to be successful. Additionally,

through community, needs such as financial assistance, job security,

acceptance, and holistic wellbeing (physical, emotional, spiritual, mental) can be

met. Therefore, the positive treatment showed by the community is really a great

help to simplify the burdens that the returnees experienced during their

reintegration.

Received Benefits from the Government

Alakdan said that the government had offered him to be part of the

CAFGU under the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The government also

provided money as part of the livelihood assistance given to the former rebels as

a tangible chance for change rather than a promise bereft of truth (President

Duterte in his Report to the People ’16-’18 Journal).

DC&MNP: “Ah... way laong na kuan na mga seminars

mga trainings na iapilan mayo?” (Ah… no seminars
like trainings that you participated?)

P4Q6R1: “…sa sundalo na papagkapgohon ko o

sundalo ba.” (…the army wanted me to join the
CAFGU or be a soldier.)

DC&MNP: “Unan ngiyan na mga benepisyo?” (Unan

ngiyan na mga benepisyo?)

P4Q6R2: “Kanang livelihood.” (Like livelihood.)

In addition, KII-01 also stated that:

 78

“…may mga benefits din silang matatanggap sa

government, sumusuko sila … iba nakakatanggap,
may program kasi yung government na tinatawag
nating expanded… E-CLIP…” (…there are benefits
that they will receive from the government after
surrendering… it’s what we called expanded… E-
CLIP.)
Moreover, KII-02 shared the following:
“So awon mga prebilihiyo ng kanato gobyerno, so una
tagaan kaw ng itawag na ngiyang laong ahhh kung
baga pa isip livelihood mo sang kanmo kung baga pa
panginabuhian mo. Mahimo kaw mabalik loob sang
kanato panggamhanan , so sang pagka doon unay
50,000 yata or awon pay lain na mga benepisyo na
madawat mo, awon pa gani panahon doon ng kanato
mahal na pangulo Presidente Rodrigo Duterte na
awon kanato libre na pabahay, na laong pa
pangahatag ng kanato president ng kanato gobyerno.
Na mag balik loob ng mga otaw plus awon pay laong
pako na livelihood kay ngani Sitio Bayong awon man
ngani ahhhh yatanaw ko na itagaan ng kanato
gobyerno 60,000 yata. Ansaan gayud ko yatanaw or
laong pa ahhhh hatag o kapalit o laong pa regalo ng
kanato gobyerno sidtong mga otaw na kumunista o
NPA.” (So there are privileges of the government, so
first they will give the so called livelihood for your
living. If you will to return in our society, currently
there is a 50,000 maybe or other benefits that you
may receive, there are even times now that our
President Rodrigo Duterte give a free house that we
may call given by the president of our government.
Those returnees will be given a livelihood even in
Sitio Bayong there is, ahhhh I could see that the
government give 60,000 maybe. There I could see or
we should say given or in exchange or a gift by our
government to the communist people or NPA.)

In an Ex-combatant Satisfaction Survey reported by Zhou (2014), she

described that livelihood trainings achieved the goals of providing ex-combatants

with a variety of vocational paths and basic skills to secure a livelihood in the

communities. A little over 95% of ex-combatants interviewed were positive that

 79

they were satisfied with all the trainings they received and most ex-combatant

participants suggested that more vocational options could be provided in future

programs. On the other hand, the majority of all respondents lived in rural areas

before they joined the military, and most of them chose to return to the rural

communities where they were from after demobilization.

This means that some of the same individuals who surrender guns and

undergo entrepreneurship training as part of the closure agreement may also

choose to (re)join the CAFGU and will receive a military-issued weapon. These

firearms are meant to be kept in the detachment rather than private homes, and

the work is only part-time (ICG, 2013).

Coping with the Struggles of Being a Former Member of the NPA

Received Assistance from the Family

The fourth participant said that his family had encouraged and helped him

surrender and never go back to the NPA. He also expressed his happiness since

his family became his key to achieve a new beginning. The role of his family in

helping him is indeed important for it is not only that he was away from the

danger brought by the violence inside the group, but his family was also able to

help him gain provisions from the government.

DC&MNP: “Sang mga kalisod mo doon isip

surenderee, Iuno-uno kaw nilan pagtabang?” (In your
struggle as a surenderee, how did they help you?)

P4Q11R1: “Itabangan ko nila sa pagpaunsa... pag…

na di nako mubalik sa sulod.” (They help me… to
never return to the group.)
 80

P4Q12R2: “Yalipay isab kay yaabot ako sang kamot

ng ginikanan ko, itabangan nilan ako pagda sang
gobyerno, kay kung di nilan ako tabangan epektohan
man silan na ginikanan, kay ipaabot man nilan ako na
makasurrender sang kanilan mga kamot para
kahatagan ako ng … dahon nilan ako sang gobyerno
na matarong para katagaan ako ng mga kadayawan.”
(I’m happy because I was able to reach the hand of
my parents and they brought me to the government
because if they didn’t help me they would be affected
since they are my parents.Through it, I was able to
receive benefits from the government.)

In the article of Manasi (2017) about Family, Reintegration and DDR, the

disarmament and demobilization phase is followed by ex-combatants eventually

returning to their homes, often equipped with socio-economic reinsertion

packages. But it is useful to think about of how ‘home’/ ‘family’ becomes a site of

both confrontation and adaptation. Is the combatant’s family receptive and

welcoming? Or are they hostile and condescending? Can an ex- combatant’s

family play a role in ensuring that he/she doesn’t take up arms again?

Conversely, what role may a family play in willfully getting an ex-combatant

to become a recidivist? The family members can turn out to be either positive or

negative influencers’ i.e. they can either play a role in “radicalization” of fighters or

can play a reformatory role. The latter revealing fact can be leveraged for

reintegration efforts, especially for engaging with non-state armed groups. For

instance, the family members of such groups can receive special training in terms

of taking care of the psychological needs of these ex-combatants and also for

aiding in their de-radicalization efforts, supported by the UN or other civil society

organizations (Manasi, 2017).

 81

Insights of NPA Returnees in Cateel

A Need to Craft More Livelihood Programs

Alakdan has conveyed his opinion towards the government’s need to craft

more livelihood programs that would help the returnees recover from their

difficulties in the long run. He specified the need to provide a fair share of lands

to the people so that there will be no more struggles that would lead to violence

and oppression.

DC&MNP: “Sang kanmo sarili na opinion kanmo lang,

kung ikaw yang gobyerno unan yang gusto mo
hinangon? Or ingkatabang sang mga pareha kanmo
na yasurrender da? Kung ikaw taraw yang gobyerno.
(In your own opinion only, if you are the government
what do you want to do? or what can you help to the
person like you who surrender?)

P4Q13R1: “Kuan… kung ako yang gobyerno, tagaan

nako tanan ang mga ang mga sibilyan ug kung unsa
ang panginahanglan aron di na …. para di na
maglisod ug dili na … ang kuan sa mga yuta akoa ng
pantayon.” (If I was the government, I will give the
entire civilian their needs so that they won’t… they
won’t struggle and they won’t… the land I will balance
it.)

In a study conducted by Hazen (2014) about Social Reintegration of Ex-

combatant after Civil War, she stated that reintegration programs are often

funded by international donors. This dependence on external funding for

reintegration programs raises a number of problems. Funding is not always

available for reintegration training of ex-combatants. Many donors focus on the

disarmament phase of DDR programs aimed at removing weapons from the

hands of combatants.
 82

She also elucidated further that an important element of social integration

is the sustainability of the efforts and processes of reintegration programs. DDR

programs are too short-termed to sufficiently achieve reintegration. They are also

targeted solely at those ex-combatants who were able to enter the DDR program,

i.e., those who were able to turn in weapons. Ex-combatants who do not turn in a

weapon are often left out of the program. This means that a number of children,

women, and lower ranking combatants are excluded from the process.

Hazen found out that this creates not only grievances within the ex-

combatant population, but also fails to address the many needs of ex-

combatants. Given the structure of reintegration programs, which are often

afterthoughts to disarmament and demobilisation and often lack the necessary

funding, these programs do not meet the long-term needs of communities. In

some cases, they fail to meet even the short-term needs. Instead of conceiving of

reintegration as the third stage of a DDR program, reintegration needs to be seen

as a much broader effort to rebuild social norms and social structures for long-

term stability and development (2014).

Encouraging Other Members to Surrender

Alakdan also encouraged other members who are still part of the rebel

group to surrender and go back into the civilian life since there are benefits

provided by the government that will help them reform a new life outside the

NPA.

DC&MNP: “Yang mga pareha gayud kanmo ba, sang

mga yasurrender unan gayud yang ingkatambag mo
 83

kanilan?” (Returnees like you also, to those who

surrender what can you advice to them?)

P4Q14R1: “Magbag o na sila ug dili na mag kuan

mubalik lang kay naa may tabang sa gobyerno.”
(“They should change and never to return because
there is an assistance from the government.”)

Alakdan’s plea towards the still members of the NPA agreed to the

statement of Jefferson Somera, the Public Affairs Office chief of the Philippine

Army 5th Infantry Division in encouraging friends, relatives, and family members

that are working, and/or in the Communist Terrorist Groups or the New People’s

Army to surrender and avail of the benefits guaranteed under the Enhanced

Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) (Agoot, 2018).

 84

Chapter 8

BUWITRE

This section presented the discussion on the presentation and analysis of

findings on the data gathered from the fifth participant, Buwitre. The information

that we obtained from every responses were useful to analyze the data that we

have gathered. Moreover, it answered the following research questions:

Lived experiences of NPA Returnees in Cateel

The fifth participant of this study is Buwitre, his alias, who lived in Sitio

Mambuanan, Brgy. Taytayan, Cateel, Davao Oriental. He was 48 years old and

worked as a farmer. He spent 7 years inside the NPA group and has participated

in 3 raids and 5 ambushes against the government. He joined the rebellion

because of his curiosity towards the regulations implemented by the government

in the community and he wondered why the military acted like that during the

Martial Law under Marcos regime. He said that the changes in his life as a

civilian has a big difference compared to his previous involvement with the NPA.

At the moment, he is living with his wife and his only son.

The following paragraphs expound the lived experiences of Buwitre

according to the themes analyzed from the data gathered.

Received Inadequate Support from the Government

Buwitre received a monetary reward worth Php 20,000.00 after

surrendering to the government. However, he said that the money is just not
 85

much and not enough to suffice the economic burden he faced. He even said

that the money was just adequate to spend for his transportation to Cateel.

MNP: “Unan na mga benepisyo yang yadawat mo o

yakuha mo pagkatapos mo yasurrender?” (What
benefits that you received or gained after you
surrender?)

P5Q6R1: “Kuan, gamay sa lang ngawon na

benepisyo kanak. Unay Php 20,000 da ngawon na
kwarta na kuan na pag-surrender, gamay da
ngawon.” (It was just a little benefit given. Maybe it
was Php 20,000 only, it was a little amount, indeed.)

MNP: “Sang tanaw mo kol, uno-uno ngini na

benepisyo yakatabang kanmo?” (For you sir, how do
these benefits help you?”

P5Q6R2: “Gamay sa lang ngiyan na pagtabang kung

baga pleti lang kay ngiyan pasingod ngadi kanato.” (It
was just a little help something like a fair to here.)

In this regard, reintegration of returnees may be difficult both due to a lack

of basic infrastructure and means of living (Maniraguha, 2011). He added that in

this way, post-war challenges may contribute to the re-ignition of violence and

armed conflict. In order to mitigate the potential threat to stability returnee

reintegration entails, there is a need to know the challenges of specific

reintegration programs. Experts in peace and security studies consider

reintegration of returning refugees as a part of peace building, which aims at

preventing war-torn countries from relapsing into violence (Petrin 2002;

Harpviken 2008; Jarstad and Sisk 2008; Paris and Sisk 2009).
 86

Gets Prejudiced because of Being a Former Rebel

Buwitre experienced unfairness from his community. Other members

would stay away from him or even avoid being near him given the fact that he is

a former rebel. The negative assumptions toward them usually resort to negative

treatment of other people.

MP: “Uhmm... Kuan kibale... kuan isip gikan sang

kalihukan, awon bay maraat na pagtrato kanmo?”
(Uhmm… as a former member of the revolution, is
there any unpleasant treatment to you?)

P5Q5R1: “Siyempre pagtanaw kanmo maraat. Isip isa

kaw ka-surrenderee, lang-an kaw na... siyempre...
rebelde yaan, dili kita saan mulapit kay rebelde yaan
gikan.” (Of course they will view you as bad. As a
surrenderee, they will tell you that… of course… that
is a rebel, don’t go near him because he was once a
rebel.)

This response is connected with KII-01’s claim that people view the

returnees negatively.

“Transition? Siyempre ano pa rin sa transition kasi

is... kapag nasa community sila pag nalalaman na
dati silang rebels parang lumalayo mga tao. Ayun
yung nakakaapekto sa kanila yung way ng
pakikipagusap ng ibang tao sa kanila, ikaw na lang
pag may nakita kang NPA sasabihin mo “uy
surrenderee yan” siyempre uupo ka... Pagnakatabi
mo siya bigla kang lalayo yan yung mga
nararamdaman nila.” (Transition? Of course, if they
are in the community and they were known to be
former rebels, the people would stay away from them.
That affects them, the way people talk to them. Even
you, if you have seen NPA returnees you might utter,
“Hey, that’s a surrenderee”. Another, when you sit
and for instance, you are beside that person, you will
instantly stay away from him/her.)
 87

Hazen (2014) explained that in the case of prejudice against ex-

combatants in other countries, there is often a desire to stop using the moniker

“ex-combatant” after the reintegration process. There are good reasons for this.

The use of such a term can lead to negative stigmatization of ex-combatants,

and further hinder their reintegration into a community. It can also lead to the use

of ex-combatants as scapegoats for the community’s ill. Without community

acceptance, which often depends on the former combatant demonstrating

contrition and a willingness to contribute to the rebuilding and growth of the

community, there can be no social reintegration. Once this reconciliation process

has begun, the focus should be on what the returning community member can

contribute to the community and what he or she needs in terms of education or

training in order to make a valuable contribution. When this shift has occurred,

the “combatant” label is no longer necessary, nor useful, and a change in

dialogue, a change in vocabulary, is necessary.

Received Benefits from the Government

The fifth participant, received an amount of money worth 20, 000.00 as

reward for his surrender. He used the money for his transportation in going back

to his hometown, Cateel.

MNP: “Unan na mga benepisyo yang yadawat mo o

yakuha mo pagkatapos mo yasurrender?” (What
benefits that you received or gained after you
surrender?)

P5Q6R1: “Unay Php 20,000 da ngawon na kwarta na

kuan na pag-surrender.” (“Maybe it was Php 20,000
only on that surrender; it was just a small amount.”)
 88

MNP: “Sang tanaw mo kol, uno-uno ngini na

benepisyo yakatabang kanmo?” (For you sir, how do
these benefits help you?”

P5Q6R2: “Gamay sa lang ngiyan na pagtabang kung

baga pleti lang kay ngiyan pasingod ngadi kanato.” (It
was just a little help something like a fair to here.)

MNP: “Hain kaw kade gikan kol?” (Can I ask where

where you came from sir?)

P5Q6R3: “Basta sang isa ka lugar adto Luzon.” (From

one of the places in Luzon.)

In connection to Buwitre’s claim, KII-03 shared that,

“…yung kanina, magkakaroon ng trabaho, livelihood

program from the government yun ang magiging
benefits…” (Just like what I said awhile ago, they can
acquire jobs, livelihood program from the government
are the benefits that they will receive.)
According to a majority of scholars, ensuring the economic security of ex-

combatants is the most decisive factor in the post-demobilization phase. If former

soldiers and guerrilla fighters lack means of securing their economic survival as

civilians, there is a high probability that they will take up arms again (Özerdem,

2002:962). The best way of doing this is to provide ex-combatants with

meaningful occupations whereby they can support themselves and their families

(Call & Stanley, 2003:215-16).

On Buwitre’s part, despite the lack of assistance given by the government

after he surrendered 7 years ago, still he was able to overcome his struggles

because of the help given by the people around him without the plan to go back

to the NPA.

In addition, the article entitled The President’s Report to the People 2016-

2018 Transforming the Nation through Strong and Decisive Leadership:

 89

Malasakit at Pagbabago (2018) that under the E-CLIP, former rebels who

surrendered shall be provided with benefits and assistance. Few of the returnees

will receive a Php65, 000.00 checks from the DILG representing immediate and

livelihood assistance worth Php15, 000 and Php50, 000, respectively on

September 29, 2018 at Compostela Valley. Twenty-five (25) of the FRs also

received remuneration for surrendering their firearms to the government ranging

from Php10, 000 – 75, 000, depending on the type and condition of the weapon

surrendered (Department of National Defense, 2018). Returnees can also get

modified conditional cash transfer, housing access to government services,

college tuition and stipend, medical assistance, legal assistance and

psychosocial assistance.

Coping with the Struggles of Being a Former Member of the NPA

Treating Each Other with Respect

Buwitre cope with the struggle of being discriminated through treating the

community members with respect. Thus, the community likewise, respected him

in return.

MNP: “Awh okay. Iuno-uno mo pagdawat yang

pagtagad ng mga otaw sang palibot mo?” (Oh, okay.
How did you accept the treatments of the people
around you?)

P5Q10R1: “Nirespetohay lang. Yang importante

yang-pagrespeto.” (Through respect. What’s
important is respect.)

Zhou (2014) stated that community acceptance and social inclusion are

central to the successful reintegration of ex-combatants. In civil communities

 90

where various social dynamics are active, ex-combatants may perceive different

senses of inclusion and social belonging which may be either constructive or

destructive to their reintegration process. Ex-combatants’ self-perception of their

reintegration into civilian life is, to a large extent, contingent upon how accepted

and included they feel.

She further explained that the successful reintegration of ex-combatants is

not based solely on ex-combatants’ ability and willingness to take part in civilian

life as part of the community, but also on the readiness and acceptance of the

community to welcome them back and allow them to be part of the community

(Zhou, 2014).

Received Assistance from the Family

He was able to overcome the problems he faced during his acquirement of

normal residency with the help of his family. He stated that even though it’s a

little help given, at any rate, still it has managed to relieve his problem.

MNP: “Iuno-uno pagtabang kanmo ng kanmo pamilya

sang sitwasyon mo?” (How does your family help you
in your situation?)

P5Q11R1: “Siyempre tabang ng pamilya ko, bisag

ginagmay basta lang awon.” (Of course my family
helped me even it’s just a little amount.)

Key informants revealed that the support coming from government

agencies is generally very limited and families sought other ways of coping –

distant relatives provided living space, women and children sought odd jobs

(IDMC, 2008). In the end, the family that awaits them, if one exists, may be a
 91

source of support and encouragement, or may be a source of temptation,

discouragement, and pain (Kniss, 2013).

Insights of NPA Returnees in Cateel

Encouraging Other Members to Surrender

Buwitre also encouraged and impart his realization to other members who

are still part of the rebel group to surrender and go back into the civilian life and

change for the better because according to him no revolution will ever succeed

against the power of the government.

MNP: “Sang kanmo mga kasinatian, unan yang

kanmo pahimangno o tambag yang kanmo mahatag o
malaong na adto pa gihapon sa grupo ng mga NPA
asta sang mga ya-surrender da. Unahon napa naton
yang mga adto sang mga NPA” (With your
experiences, what advice can you give or tell to those
who are still in the group and for those who surrender
already? Let us begin with those who are in the NPA.)

P5Q14R1: “Yang kanak lang ingkatambag kanilan

amasin-i mangud... wa say yalahutay gayud na
rebolusyonaryo na hangtod hangtod na mudaog na
rebolusyonaryo. Yang ingka-tambag ko lang, wa say
mahimo... baba da kamo, magbag-o da kita hurot.” (I
could only advice is like this… no revolutionary who
ever survived until the revolution would succeed.
What I could advice is that, there’s nothing we could
do so let’s just get down here, let us all change.)

Ka Efren’s testimony shown in the article entitled President’s Report to the

People 2016-2018 Transforming the Nation through Strong and Decisive

Leadership: Malasakit at Pagbabago (2018), he believes that the government will

continue to do more. He also expressed willingness to support the President in

achieving peace and prosperity since the ideology of Marxism-Leninism-Maoism

 92

was no longer true and relevant to society. He also encouraged his fellow former

rebels not to waste the opportunity given to them by the President to start anew.

He encouraged them to make the most of the benefits they have received as

they cannot rely on the government all their lives. To their comrades who are still

active in the NPA, Ka Efren wished that they too would surrender, leave the

armed struggle for good, and reunite with the government.

 93

Chapter 9

COMPARISON OF CASES

This chapter contains the comparison of the result of data gathered from

the ten participants. The data is presented based on the research questions with

its probing examined in the study.

Lived experiences of NPA Returnees in Cateel

As the study continues to seek the data, we have gathered the following

themes consistent in the experiences of the participants. With respect to the

responses analyzed throughout the data analysis, five (5) themes have

transpired, namely: (1) Enjoys freedom from the struggles experienced inside the

NPA, (2) Received inadequate support from the government, (3) Gets prejudiced

because of being a former rebel, (4) Experienced positive treatment from the

community, and (5) Received benefits from the government.

Table 1 shows the distribution of the themes emerged in the study.

Table 1

Major Themes and Core Ideas on the Lived experiences of NPA Returnees
in Cateel
Major Themes Core Ideas
Enjoys Freedom from  Returnees have the access to socio-economic
the Struggles opportunities.
Experienced inside the  Receiving community observes that returnees
NPA receive government assistance and reunite
with their family.
 Returnees enjoy the freedom through building
their own family.
 Returnees finally withdraw from the difficulties
brought by rebel activities.
 Returnees feel relieved and happy for being
recognized by the state.
 94

 Returnees are able to achieve legal

documentation by the community.
Received Inadequate  Returnees have difficulty adjusting to civilian
Support from the life because of the lacking support provided by
Government the government.
 Returnees receive insufficient money from the
government.
Gets Prejudiced  Returnees are easily pointed as suspects in
because of Being a committing crimes.
Former Rebel  Returnees sense that people avoid getting
near from them.
 Community members view the returnees as
dangerous people.
 Community members are afraid that the
returnees might inflict harm knowing that they
are living in the same area.
Experienced Positive  Returnees receive help from the people by
Treatment from the means of social support.
Community  Community members did not disrespect the
returnees.
 Returnees and community members build
good relationship with each other through
establishing respect.
 Returnees are treated with respect by the
people in the community.
 Community members acknowledge the
returnees with warm acceptance.
 Relatives of the returnees are continuously
helping their family members who surrendered
to be accepted by the society.
 Returnees participated in community
associations or neighborhood assemblies that
help in gaining positive recognition of the
people.
 Community members help the returnees
through providing livelihood assistance.
 Community members advice the returnees to
refrain from going back to the group.
Received Benefits from  Returnees receive the livelihood assistance
the Government provided by the government.
 Returnees receive monetary reward from the
government.
 Government implemented the Enhanced
Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-
CLIP) which the returnees have availed after
 95

their surrender.
 Returnees receive benefits such as money to
sustain their livelihood program.
 Government provisions include providing jobs
for the returnees.
 Returnees provide livelihood assistance to
lessen the economic burden.

Enjoys Freedom from the Struggles Experienced inside the NPA

We have interviewed ten participants in this study and there are three

participants who have experienced the theme mentioned. These are Diana,

Cardo, and Pinuno. According to them, they felt happy after surrendering to the

government since they’ve been able to depart from the struggles they

encountered while they were still part of the NPA. According to Cardo, he was

really glad for he was able to build his own family away from violence. Diana, on

the contrary was pleased of returning since she and her family can already roam

freely without being chased by authorities. They even emphasized that the life

outside compared to the life in the bush is far more different given that they have

the privilege to earn and live peacefully and legally.

This is proven by Rummel (2002) through stating that the more democratic

freedom a people has the less severe their internal political violence.

Surrendering as their transit into normal residency is perceived as a way to

reinforce their civilian identity and practice. For its part, reintegration is

understood as a drastic life change as it demands agency, independence and

freedom to perform as citizens; conditions that were not part of their life as

militants of non-state groups.

 96

Received Inadequate Support from the Government

Diana and Buwitre, the IDI participants of this study obtained inadequate support

from the government. However, despite of the insufficient support, they were able to

cope with the problem by relying on their own and seeking ways to earn a living.

In line with this, the insufficiency of support towards returnees must be given

attention since according to the study about ex-combatants stated by Janzen

(2014) that the reintegration process of rebels would be meaningless without the

creation of fresh socio-economic opportunities for the ex-combatants, which

would prevent them from reconsidering their violent past efforts. This is because

disarmament and demobilization of combatants has shown that frustrated and

unemployed ex-combatants have been involved in activities that ultimately lead

to resurgence of insecurity in post-conflict states (Watson, 2009).

Gets Prejudiced because of Being a Former Rebel

Five participants of this study, namely: Cardo and Buwitre experienced

getting discriminated for being a former rebel while the three (3) KII Participants

observed this treatment towards returnees by the community. Cardo was

imprisoned for being falsely accused of killing someone while Buwitre

experienced being avoided by the people around him the same with the

observation noticed by KII-01. KII-03, on the other hand, stated that returnees get

bias treatment from the people underestimating the capacity of former rebels to

work in companies. KII-04 also noticed that people viewed returnees as

dangerous people that must be feared.

 97

According to López, Andreouli, & Howarth, the shared experience of many

ex-combatants of feeling discriminated against may lead them to understand this

as a limitation inherent to their social realities and may, therefore, encourage

practices of resistance, such as distancing themselves or concealing their

stigmatized identities. Moreover, patterns of discrimination, stigmatization and

segregation continue to be important obstacles for ex-combatants in the road to

successful reintegration (2015).

Experienced Positive Treatment from the Community

Eight of the participants experienced positive treatment from the

community. Diana, Cardo, and Alakdan said that the people showed no

unpleasant behavior towards them. Pinuno said that he is respected by the

people in his community. Likewise with the four (4) KII Participants have said that

the receiving community helped the returnees acquire jobs and treat them with

respect. In addition, the said participants asserted that with the help of these

returnees’ family, they were able to be accepted by the society.

Social reintegration, according to Bhandari & Robins, demands the

acceptance of ex-combatants on the part of the community and a resultant

transformation of the military identity of the ex-combatant. Effective social

reintegration of ex-combatants has significant potential for social cohesion and

economic prosperity, with ex-combatants potentially becoming catalysts for

peace building (2016).

Hazen’s explanation of social integration positively suggests that it assists

in the reestablishment of acceptable social norms of behavior. Such norms often

 98

include the pacific settlement of disputes, or the use of arbitration mechanisms to

resolve disputes without resorting to violence. Other norms include the humane

treatment of individuals, respect of human rights, respect for the principles of

democracy, and the establishment of what is right and wrong behaviour. The

establishment of these norms and the education of ex-combatants and youths

into this set of norms and patterns of behavior beneficial to the community are

essential for social integration. This reconditioning of ex-combatants away from

violence and toward a respect for human rights, a rejection of violent means of

conflict resolution, and the pursuit of more constructive means of achieving

status, wealth, and security, reduces the likelihood of a return to violence (Hazen,

2014).

Received Benefits from the Government

Alakdan and Buwitre both gained benefits from the government. Buwitre

was given monetary reward for his voluntary surrender while Alakdan was

offered to join the CAFGU and is enrolled to the E-Clip program where will help

him change and receive money for livelihood assistance. Five (5) of the KII

participants stated that the returnees were provided Programs and Assistance

such as money, jobs, and firearms remuneration.

E-CLIP is one of the flagship programs of the Duterte administration that

seeks to address social healing and national unity towards the higher objective of

having just and lasting peace. It aims to provide social equity to former members

of the CPP-NPA-NDF and the Militia ng Bayan in order to reintegrate them into

mainstream society. Unlike previous government reintegration programs, the E-

 99

CLIP is a whole-of-government program which provides a wide array of benefits

based on the specific needs of the former rebels and their families such as

financial assistance, shelter, education, skills training, healthcare, legal

assistance, among others, through a convergence of various national and local

government agencies. These benefits are not the “end” but just means or tools to

aid the FRs while they are transitioning into mainstream society.

Coping with the Struggles of Being a Former Member of the NPA?

All those NPA returnees who surrendered to the government faced

difficulties in handling or managing the problems they have encountered. As

such, they have developed certain ways to overcome these struggles. From the

answers of the participants, three (3) themes have emerged, namely: (1) Working

hard to cope with their needs, (2) Treating each other with respect, and (3)

Received assistance from the family.

The table shows the distribution of the themes emerged in the study.

Table 2

Major Themes and Core Ideas on Coping with the Struggles of Being a
Former Member of NPA
Major Themes Core Ideas
Working Hard to Cope  Returnees overcome their struggles through
with their Needs planting crops in their own land.
 Returnees cope with poverty through applying
in manual labor works.
 Returnees resolve the challenges they faced
through perseverance.
Treating each other  Returnees establish respect in dealing with the
with respect people in the community
 Returnees emphasize that respect is important
in handling the community’s treatment.
Received Assistance  Returnees obtain cash assistance from their
 100

from the family relatives to be used in starting a new life.

 Family members help the returnees surmount
their problems through assistance in the
acquisition of benefits provided by the
government.
 Returnees receive little help from their family
which at least ease their burdens after
surrendering.

After finding, classifying and gathering the themes that was shown in the

table, we found out that the participants have similarities and differences in their

respective answers based on their experiences. It is viewed that there are three

(3) themes that have been identified.

Working Hard to Cope with their Needs

Three of the IDI participants interviewed point out that one of their means

of coping with the struggles they have came across is through working hard to

meet their needs. Diana, the first participant claimed that she, together with her

family, thrived on their own without relying to the benefits provided by the

government. Cardo also worked hard to find a source of living so that he could

provide the needs of his family while Pinuno toiled harder to solve the problem he

has encountered.

In the study of Adu & Gyeke (2017), coping strategies, such as prayer,

membership in religious groups, and engaging in income earning activities

provided them strength to deal with challenges. Additionally, some participants

engaged in income earning activities, mainly trading, as a coping strategy. The

repatriation exercise provided some refugees opportunities to create businesses

and to devise creative means of survival. This could reduce the extent of idleness
 101

among refugees and also enhance their livelihoods. A major coping strategy of

refugees is the creation of job opportunities in order to receive monetary rewards

(Dick, 2002). As they become embedded in host communities, they pursue trade

and seek employment (Phillips, 2003), not without difficulties though. Starting a

business or finding a job as a refugee is difficult since it requires an initial capital

investment or social networks.

Treating Each Other with Respect

Diana and Buwitre both handled their struggles inside the community

through respecting the people. Diana specified that the people in her community

accepted her without any disdainful conduct while Buwitre believed that by

respecting the people, he will also be respected in return.

Zhou (2014) stated that community acceptance and social inclusion are

central to the successful reintegration of ex-combatants. In civil communities

where various social dynamics are active, ex-combatants may perceive different

senses of inclusion and social belonging which may be either constructive or

destructive to their reintegration process. Ex-combatants’ self-perception of their

reintegration into civilian life is, to a large extent, contingent upon how accepted

and included they feel.

Received Assistance from the Family

According to Diana and Buwitre, receiving assistance from their family

members boost their confidence to manage the difficulties faced during

reintegration. Diana and Buwitre had received little amount of financial support
 102

from their family. Alakdan, on the contrary, was being helped by his parents to

surrender and avail the benefit that is provided for him.

"Access to supportive networks" improves chances for a successful

transition and, "family and other close social connections are the most likely

people to provide the needed emotional and financial support." These "informal

social bonds are the strongest predictors" for successful reintegration (Kniss,

2013).

Key informants revealed that the support coming from government

agencies is generally very limited and families sought other ways of coping –

distant relatives provided living space, women and children sought odd jobs

(IDMC, 2008). In the end, the family that awaits them, if one exists, may be a

source of support and encouragement, or may be a source of temptation,

discouragement, and pain (Kniss, 2013).

Insights of NPA returnees in Cateel

After the participants conveyed their experiences and responses, the

realizations, suggestions, and thoughts with respect to their experiences as

former members of the NPA were shown below. From their views and opinions,

four (4) themes have emerged in this research question, namely: (1) Being a

former rebel is difficult, (2) A need to craft more livelihood programs, (3)

Encouraging other members to surrender, and (4) Live with peace and integrity.

Table 3 shows the distribution of themes emerged in this study.

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Table 3

Major Themes and Core Ideas on Insights of NPA Returnees in Cateel

Major Themes Core Ideas
Being a Former Rebel  Returnees realize the complicatedness of the
is Difficult situation experienced within the rebel group
especially the lack of equipment and supplies.
 Returnees observe that the NPA’s ideology
and purpose is not fulfilled.
A Need to Craft more  Returnees need help in terms of livelihood
Livelihood Programs support that will sustain the requirements of
returnees during integration.
 Government is required to provide a fair and
just share of land to alleviate the struggle of
returnees.
Encouraging Other  Returnees encourage their old comrades to
Members to Surrender surrender since they have nothing against the
government.
 NPA rebels are advised by the returnees to
desert the group for there are benefits offered
by the government to those who wanted to
surrender.
 NPA’s fight for their rights hasn’t been
achieved for years, so rebels are advised to
leave and change for a better way of life.
Live with Peace and  Returnees pledge not to be involved and set
Integrity up connection with the rebel group.

After finding, classifying and gathering the themes that was shown in the

table, we found out that the participants have similarities and differences in their

respective answers based on their experiences. It is viewed that there are four

(4) themes that have been identified.

Being a Former Rebel is Difficult

Two of the participants under IDI have imparted their realization that the

life in the bush is indeed difficult. Diana said that her life inside the non-state

armed group is shady due to the fact that they cannot complacently roam around
 104

the community since they are hiding from the government forces. Cardo on the

other hand, expressed his sentiments toward the rebel group. Aside from being

tired of the armed struggle, and the ideology of Marxism-Leninism-Maoism was

no longer true and relevant to society, there are also promises that are unfulfilled

especially the safety of the recruit members.

In Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, he defined safety as a feeling that people

get when they know no harm will befall them, physically, mentally, or emotionally;

security is the feeling people get when their fears and anxieties are low (2015). A

safe and secure environment is one in which the population has the freedom to

pursue daily activities without fear of politically motivated, persistent, or large-

scale violence.

Maslow suggested that the first and most basic need people have is the

need for survival: their physiological requirements for food, water, and shelter.

People must have food to eat, water to drink, and a place to call home before

they can think about anything else. If any of these physiological necessities is

missing, people are motivated above all else to meet the missing needs (2009).

A Need to Craft More Livelihood Programs

Diana and Alakdan shared their plea towards the government. The need

to implement more sustainable livelihood programs is essential for the betterment

and stability of the returnees’ aim to pursue change in their lives. In this study,

the two of them stated that the government must give the returnees livelihood

assistance for them to have jobs and enough share of land.

 105

In line with this, Mattheisen (2012) asserted that unemployment is high

among refugees as it is difficult for them to find opportunities to earn income. A

considerable number of refugees receive overseas remittances as their major

livelihood source (Omata & Kaplan, 2013). High unemployment among refugees

could force some of them to engage in illegal activities which could pose security

threats to them and the host country. However, even though refugees resort to

economic activities for survival, it is imperative that they are provided the

necessary assistance that would facilitate their integration into the host country.

Under the Administrative Order No. 10 of the Philippine Government lies

the livelihood assistance provided to those former rebels who have surrendered

to the government. This assistance is indispensable to ensure the effectiveness

of the program implementation. It is focused, with seamless and streamlined

processes to ensure the E-CLIPS’s sustained implementation aimed at

empowering the individual former rebels (FR).

Encouraging Other Members to Surrender

Three participants of this study shared their advice towards their fellow old

comrades who are still part of the NPA and their fellow returnees who decide to

live normally. Cardo and Buwitre revealed that it is obvious that the NPA has

nothing against the government forces even in terms of equipment, thus they

advised them to surrender. Alakdan, too, encouraged his fellow comrades to

return since there are provisions given by the government for them.

Alakdan’s plea towards the still members of the NPA agreed to the

statement of Jefferson Somera, the Public Affairs Office chief of the Philippine
 106

Army 5th Infantry Division in encouraging friends, relatives, and family members

that are working, and/or in the Communist Terrorist Groups or the New People’s

Army to surrender and avail of the benefits guaranteed under the Enhanced

Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) (Agoot, 2018).

According to the President’s Report to the People 2016-2018

Transforming the Nation through Strong and Decisive Leadership: Malasakit at

Pagbabago, it stated there that one of the former rebels encouraged his fellow

returnees to make the most of the benefits they have received as they cannot

rely on the government all their lives. To their comrades who are still active in the

NPA, Ka Efren wished that they too would surrender, leave the armed struggle

for good, and reunite with the government (2018).

Live with Peace and Integrity

Pinuno wanted to convince his co-returnees not to help other members of

the NPA and just follow to what the law has implemented for if they don’t, there

will be punishment imposed to those who have committed it. In this theme,

Pinuno can support the report of Pareño stating that the military said the rebels

pledged their loyalty to the government after learning about the localized

reintegration program extended by the government. Gaerlan said that they assist

those who surrendered in enrolling under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local

Integration Program. He said the program will ensure that the former rebels will

be taught technical skills to assist them in their livelihood (2018).

 107

Chapter 10

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

This chapter described the discussion and conclusion of the themes that

emerged throughout the data analysis.

The main goal of the study was to unravel and comprehend the lived

experiences of NPA Returnees in Cateel. To gather the needed data, in-depth

interview and key informant interview that were validated by a group of

professionals were used. All the questions formulated have been answered by

the chosen participants who expressed significant data for analysis.

The following qualitative research questions were answered.

Lived experiences of NPA Returnees in Cateel

After gathering, identifying and presenting the themes of each participants

supported with the articles, journals and study conducted that is related to the

qualitative research understudy, we have derived six themes throughout the

course of analyzing their responses. The NPA returnees who were chosen to

participate in this study shared their lived experiences after their surrender and

during their reintegration. There are themes that the participants have in common

and themes which each of them are unique from one other. The themes emerged

were Enjoys freedom from the struggles experienced inside the NPA, Received

inadequate support from the government, Gets prejudiced because of being a

former rebel, Experienced positive treatment from the community, and Received
 108

benefits from the government. In this study, we have revealed the lived

experiences of NPA returnees in Cateel.

The first theme of this research question is Enjoys freedom from the

struggles experienced inside the NPA. Diana, Cardo, and Pinuno felt happy

after surrendering since their independence has earned them a better way of life.

Through freedom, they were able to experience living a normal life as normal

citizens. Moreover, informants of the study observed that these returnees’

enjoyment is also because of the assistance given by the government and the

chance to be legal citizens of the country.

This theme can be associated with Saliba’s statement which connotes that

freedom leads man to construct a positive relation with others (2000).

Surrendering has became their passage into normal residency is perceived as a

way to reinforce their civilian identity and practice. For its part, reintegration is

understood as a drastic life change as it demands agency, independence and

freedom to perform as citizens; conditions that were not part of their life as

militants of non-state groups.

Second theme is Received inadequate support from the government

which was experienced by the participants, Diana and Buwitre. They struggled in

their starting period of being a citizen since after their return, they were not able

to acquire monetary benefit for livelihood assistance; however, the local

government has helped them and their families obtain their official documentation

as civilians. Janzen (2014) stated that the reintegration process of rebels would

be meaningless without the creation of fresh socio-economic opportunities for the

 109

ex-combatants, which would prevent them from reconsidering their violent past

efforts. This is because disarmament and demobilization of combatants has

shown that frustrated and unemployed ex-combatants have been involved in

activities that ultimately lead to resurgence of insecurity in post-conflict states

(Watson, 2009).

On the other hand, some of the informants opposed to the statement

claimed by the two (2) participants. The KII participants have expressed that the

government have been imposing provisions for the benefit of those rebels who

wanted to leave the group and change for the better.

It is implemented under Administrative Order No. 10, Centralizing all

government efforts for the reintegration of Former Rebels and Creating for the

purpose and inter-agency task force which states that the government shall

pursue a comprehensive, integrated and community-basd national program that

is locally implemented to address the legal status and security of former rebels,

as well as their economic, social and psychological rehabilitation needs, and

provide immediate to long-term interventions that are supported by strengthened

institutions to ensure effective implementation and attainment of these desired

outcomes.

The third theme of this research question is Gets prejudiced because of

being a former rebel. Cardo and Buwitre felt being discriminated because of

their past involvement with the NPA. They were often avoided and feared by

most of the people in their community. On the one hand, our informants noticed

the indifference showed by the people towards the returnees. In this regard,
 110

López, Andreouli, & Howarth stated that the shared experience of many ex-

combatants of feeling discriminated against may lead them to understand this as

a limitation inherent to their social realities and may, therefore, encourage

practices of resistance, such as distancing themselves or concealing their

stigmatized identities. Moreover, patterns of discrimination, stigmatisation and

segregation continue to be important obstacles for ex-combatants in the road to

successful reintegration (2015).

Fourth is Experienced positive treatment from the community. Eight

out of ten participants had experienced and observed the positive treatment

showed by the community. Cardo, despite being prejudiced, nonetheless

experienced positive treatment from the people. Diana, Pinuno, and Alakdan

experienced being treated nicely without being inflicted harm. The informants,

likewise, shared that the community members have been helping the returnees

adjust to their new environment.

In this light, studies of Bhandari & Robins about social integration support

the findings that ex-combatants demand the acceptance on the part of the

community and a resultant transformation of the military identity of them.

Effective social reintegration of ex-combatants has significant potential for social

cohesion and economic prosperity, with ex-combatants potentially becoming

catalysts for peace building (2016).

Hazen also explained that social integration positively suggests that it

assists in the reestablishment of acceptable social norms of behaviour. Such

norms often include the pacific settlement of disputes, or the use of arbitration
 111

mechanisms to resolve disputes without resorting to violence. Other norms

include the humane treatment of individuals, respect of human rights, respect for

the principles of democracy, and the establishment of what is right and wrong

behaviour (Hazen, 2014).

The last theme that has emerged from the study is Received benefits

from the government. Two of the participants from the IDI said to have received

benefits from the government while the other five informants observed that

returnees accepted benefits too. Most of them used it as their means to earn a

living. One of the informants mentioned about the Duterte administration furtherly

implementing the E-Clip Program designed for former-rebel surrenderees.

E-CLIP is one of the flagship programs of the Duterte administration that

seeks to address social healing and national unity towards the higher objective of

having just and lasting peace. It aims to provide social equity to former members

of the CPP-NPA-NDF and the Militia ng Bayan in order to reintegrate them into

mainstream society. Unlike previous government reintegration programs, the E-

CLIP is a whole-of-government program which provides a wide array of benefits

based on the specific needs of the former rebels and their families such as

financial assistance, shelter, education, skills training, healthcare, legal

assistance, among others, through a convergence of various national and local

government agencies. These benefits are not the “end” but just means or tools to

aid the FRs while they are transitioning into mainstream society.

In addition, in the article entitled The President’s Report to the People

2016-2018 Transforming the Nation through Strong and Decisive Leadership:

 112

Malasakit at Pagbabago (2018), the administration said that under the E-CLIP,

former rebels who surrendered shall be provided with benefits and assistance.

Few of the returnees will receive a Php65, 000.00 checks from the DILG

representing immediate and livelihood assistance worth Php15, 000 and Php50,

000, respectively on September 29, 2018 at Compostela Valley. Twenty-five (25)

of the FRs also received remuneration for surrendering their firearms to the

government ranging from Php10, 000 – 75, 000, depending on the type and

condition of the weapon surrendered (Department of National Defense, 2018).

Returnees can also get modified conditional cash transfer, housing access to

government services, college tuition and stipend, medical assistance, legal

assistance and psychosocial assistance.

Coping with the Struggles of Being a Former Member of the NPA

After gathering, identifying and presenting the themes of each participants

supported with the articles, journals and study conducted that is related to the

qualitative research understudy, we have derived three themes throughout the

course of analyzing their responses. There are themes that the participants have

in common and themes which each of them are unique from one other. The

themes emerged were Working hard to cope with their needs, Treating each

other with respect and Received assistance from the family. In this study, we

have revealed the lived experiences of NPA returnees in Cateel.

The first theme under the second research question is Working hard to

cope with their needs. Three of the IDI participants handled their problems in
 113

terms of finding a source of living and surviving after their surrender through

thriving hard to overcome the economic burdens they faced. Since the

government lack the enough support to suffice their needs after their return, they

worked on their own without relying from the government’s help.

In the study of Adu & Gyeke (2017) about ex-combatants, coping

strategies that include engaging in income earning activities provided them

strength to deal with challenges. Additionally, some participants engaged in

income earning activities, mainly trading, as a coping strategy. A major coping

strategy of refugees is the creation of job opportunities in order to receive

monetary rewards (Dick, 2002).

The second theme is Treating each other with respect. This theme

conforms to the stigmatization and discrimination encountered by the returnees.

In order to avoid sparking another form of violence, the people accepted and

respected them as part of the community. The returnees, in return, despite the

negative views planted towards them, still treated people with respect as part of

their reintegration process. In this sense, the returnees also felt a sense of

belonging, thus avoiding brutality that may arise when felt alienated of disdained.

Zhou (2014) stated that community acceptance and social inclusion are

central to the successful reintegration of ex-combatants. In civil communities

where various social dynamics are active, ex-combatants may perceive different

senses of inclusion and social belonging which may be either constructive or

destructive to their reintegration process. Ex-combatants’ self-perception of their

 114

reintegration into civilian life is, to a large extent, contingent upon how accepted

and included they feel.

The third and last theme for this research question is Received

assistance from the family members. The help given by family members during

the returnees’ reintegration until now created a huge impact to the transition

process of these former rebels. Diana, Buwitre, and Alakdan received help from

their families, despite of the little amount given. We can infer that it is not the

money which helped them in reintegration but the acceptance of their family

members supplemented to their desire of changing completely.

"Access to supportive networks" improves chances for a successful

transition and, "family and other close social connections are the most likely

people to provide the needed emotional and financial support." These "informal

social bonds are the strongest predictors" for successful reintegration (Kniss,

2013).

Insights of the NPA Returnees in Cateel

After gathering, identifying and presenting the themes of each participants

supported with the articles, journals and study conducted that is related to the

qualitative research understudy, we have derived four themes throughout the

course of analyzing their responses. There are themes that the participants have

in common and themes which each of them are unique from one other. The

themes emerged were Being a former rebel is difficult, A need to craft more

livelihood programs, Encouraging other members to surrender, and Live with

 115

peace and integrity. In this study, we have revealed the lived experiences of NPA

returnees in Cateel.

Being a former rebel is difficult is the first theme of the third research

question understudy. Two of the IDI participants responded that joining the non-

state armed group such as the NPA is not easy. They realized that the life in the

bush is dimmed with violence and hiding since they were being chased by the

government authorities. Maslow suggested that the first and most basic need

people have is the need for survival: their physiological requirements for food,

water, and shelter. People must have food to eat, water to drink, and a place to

call home before they can think about anything else. If any of these physiological

necessities is missing, people are motivated above all else to meet the missing

needs (2009).

Next is A need to craft more livelihood programs. Diana and Alakdan

shared their sentiment in the need to implement more sustainable livelihood

programs. They said that it is vital for the firmness of the returnees’ purpose in

change their lives from being a rebel to civilian. Under the Administrative Order

No. 10 of the Philippine Government lies the livelihood assistance provided to

those former rebels who have surrendered to the government. This assistance is

indispensable to ensure the effectiveness of the program implementation. It is

focused, with seamless and streamlined processes to ensure the E-CLIPS’s

sustained implementation aimed at empowering the individual former rebels

(FR).
 116

Mattheisen asserted that high unemployment could force some of the

returnees to engage in illegal activities which could pose security threats to them

and the host country. However, even though refugees resort to economic

activities for survival, it is imperative that they are provided the necessary

assistance that would facilitate their integration into the host country (2014). Thus

it is necessary to provide the returnees sustainable means of assistance.

The third one is Encouraging other members to surrender. Three of the

IDI participants of this study expressed their advice towards their fellow old

comrades who are still part of the NPA and their fellow returnees who decided to

surrender. The returnees plea towards the still members of the NPA conformed

to the statement of Jefferson Somera, the Public Affairs Office chief of the

Philippine Army 5th Infantry Division in encouraging friends, relatives, and family

members that are working, and/or in the Communist Terrorist Groups or the New

People’s Army to surrender and avail of the benefits guaranteed under the

Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) (Agoot, 2018).

According to the President’s Report to the People 2016-2018

Transforming the Nation through Strong and Decisive Leadership: Malasakit at

Pagbabago, it stated there that one of the former rebels encouraged his fellow

returnees to make the most of the benefits they have received as they cannot

rely on the government all their lives. To their comrades who are still active in the

NPA, Ka Efren wished that they too would surrender, leave the armed struggle

for good, and reunite with the government (2018).

 117

The last one is Live with peace and integrity. Pinuno, the IDI participant

who have shared his advice to his fellow returnees said that like him, they must

not also help other members of the NPA and follow the advice of the government

to avoid any complexities. In this theme, Pinuno can support the report of Pareño

stating that the military said the rebels pledged their loyalty to the government

after learning about the localized reintegration program extended by the

government. Gaerlan said that they assist those who surrendered in enrolling

under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program. He said the

program will ensure that the former rebels will be taught technical skills to assist

them in their livelihood (2018).

Implications for Practice

After a careful data collection and analysis of information obtained from

our respective participants, we have come into a realization and crafted the

following implications to the people who will benefit from this study including the

New People’s Army returnees, Local Government Unit, and the Community. In

line with this, the researchers have suggested such actions that could improve

and help the said beneficiaries.

To the New People’s Army returnees, the government has been pouring

their very best to be responsive on the basic necessities essential to reconstruct

a better and peaceful life outside the non-state armed group like NPA. In this

regard, NPA returnees are encouraged to conform and cooperate to the

programs implemented by the government given that it is for their own sake also.

Through this program they may be able to learn how to adjust to their new
 118

environment and interact with the community positively. Furthermore, they can

also motivate other fellow returnees to change for the better instead of going

back and be cooperative for it is also for their sake. They may also encourage

other rebel members to surrender, for it is a great help to the government and for

them. In addition, they may join assemblies, organizations, and seminars that will

help them voice out their concerns and complain to the authorities for them to

create effective and sustainable action with regards to the problem.

For the Local Government Unit, the results of this study will help them

realize the needed actions to resolve the problem encountered during the

implementation of the programs. Reintegration is a complex and drawn out

process, yet the way in which former rebels are introduced to reintegration

programs need a more human sensitive and human security approach – which

they cannot be de-programmed in a mechanistic mode to be civilians, rather the

social bonding elements of community based reintegration can help heal wounds

of conflict. Reinsertion packages can facilitate the initiation of this process, by

reintroducing the basic semblance of civilian existence through its efforts on the

well-being and economic sustainability of returnees in the post discharge period.

Reintegration is easier to achieve in rural environments.There should

therefore be special incentives to lure those former rebels with a rural origin back

to their local communities. Assistance in rural areas should focus on local

reconciliation and giving them access to land. Assistance in urban environments

should focus on providing training and education. Supporting apprenticeships or

on the-job training and providing credit schemes and business training are
 119

important. Labour-intensive public works in construction and infrastructure can

offer many returnees in urban environments valuable employment.

Moreover, LGU may also implement sustainable livelihood programs that

would be beneficial for the returnees in their transition from being a former rebel

to a civilian. They can also monitor the lives of rebel returnees through knowing

the situation of the returnees so that they can provide further assistance to those

returnees who are still struggling and needing their support especially those who

did not acquire assistance right after their return due to the insufficient

documentation that will prove themselves as former rebels. With the utmost care

they are showing to the returnees, it may be able to encourage other rebels to

surrender and change.

Furthermore, sustainable and effective programs will help prevent plans of

rejoining and reemerging violence that may arise due to ineffective and unjust

distribution of assistance.

Lastly to the receiving community, they must be careful and sensitive with

the behavior that they are showing towards the former rebels; instead of making

the returnees feel isolated and hated. They may help these former rebels through

accepting them, giving them jobs, and helping them overcome the struggles.

Additionally, people may let them feel a sense of belonging and most of all treat

and show them respect.

 120

Implications for Further Research

The stated, analyzed and concluded information are not really the end of

this topic for there are lot of things that needs to be recognized and to be given

attention in this part. We unwaveringly believe that our study focuses only to the

lived experiences, the coping strategies, and insights of former rebels residing in

the Municipality of Cateel which did not generalize the entirety of former rebels in

the region or in the Philippines as a whole. In this light, it is recommended for the

future researchers to also conduct the study outside the premises of Cateel for

them to be able to uncover more themes that could help deepen the information

and enrich the data needed. Since we only have ten participants involved and for

them to discover more, they may try including 12 or more participants that could

enhance the population desired. They may also utilize focus group discussion

aside from the in-depth interview and key informant interview that we have used.

To have a more in-depth analysis to this research, they can conduct a

phenomenological study that will probe the experiences of NPA Returnees to

have an additional understanding about them. This kind of research could help

the future researchers in attaining a more interesting investigation and new

explorations related to the topic. They could also improve, add, and find other

themes apart from what we have identified.

Subsequently, they may also employ quantitative research aside from the

research design that we have used. Through quantitative research, they can

achieve generalizability and firm reliability of the data collected and analyzed

numerically. In gathering the data connected to this study, they could use
 121

Creswell (2005) since we applied Miles and Huberman (1995) framework. Via

this analysis, they could be able to have new findings that are unique to ours. In

addition, further research should validate and expand current studies, possibly

introducing a longitudinal dimension to monitor the progress and effectiveness of

current and future response policies.

Lastly, future studies can also focus on other topics that do not just

concentrate in unravelling the lived experiences of NPA Returnees in Cateel.

Concluding Remarks

Fortune really favors the brave, because although we are aware of the

difficulties of having a Qualitative Case Study, still we pursue to do it. It has been

almost five months since we started this study. Along our way in doing this study,

we encountered ups and downs. It has never been as easy as that, for we

experienced difficulties, pains, stress, and we even skipped meals, sleep late at

night, broken laptops, financial shortage and especially no access from the

internet. However, by being optimistic and especially by chaining firmly our faith

to the Almighty God, we still able to conquer these difficulties.

Like our fellow researchers, we also experienced having conflict with our

subject schedule just to reach the deadline of submission. We could remember

when our laptop got broken because it overheated; it was like our hope of

finishing it was driven away. We also experienced quarrel within our group in

which we had to work individually without recognizing each other but for the sake

of our grades and friendship, we do our best to restore our connections to each

other. We even crossed floods due to the heavy rain and climbed mountains to
 122

conduct the interview. In conducting the interview with the rebel returnees, at first

we felt scared but when we were able to have a conversation with them, we

learned so much and found out that they are nice at all.

Throughout the conduct of this study, we are able to understand further

the lives of NPA returnees and other information about their past. Our findings

have taught us that life inside the rebel group is full of complexity. NPA returnees

faced problem in terms of their necessities due to insufficient resources and

especially the war between them and the armed forces of the government. We

also learned from the participants that reintegration of the returnees is a great

help for them, they are able to live a happy and peaceful life. We found out also

that they face discrimination from other people because of their past, however

they showed the people that it doesn’t serve as a hindrance for them to pursue

change and build a better life as normal citizens. They are willing to change that

made them gain respect from the community.

In this study, we have understand and realized that acting without thinking

may lead us into peril because, according to the returnees, most of them

regretted their decision in joining the NPA rebel group. Also, we must not treat

these returnees indifferently or feared them to the extent of staying away from

them because they are also humans who needed to be treated like one. Just like

these former rebels, it is indeed better to give second chances to those people

who have committed mistake to us. Nobody is perfect, so we need to be

sensitive towards other people.

 123

Moreover, no matter the hardships we encountered, we are still able to

make it. We are still able to enjoy the time we spent in crafting this study, we

learned to be patient, resourceful, optimistic and become responsible students.

Our experiences on this study are unforgettable and need to be cherished that

we could even share to the future risk-taker researchers for them to be prepared

on what lies ahead. In this study, we also learned from the participants that we

must think before we act. We must be also perceptive individuals so we can't be

easily brainwashed by the flowery words of others. Lastly, we also learned that it

is always seems impossible until it is done.

 124

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