Since her surrender in 2021, she said, “First time nasinati ang tinuod nga kinabuhi sa pamilya. Nakita ang hinabangan sa gobyerno, unsaon ang pagpalambo, unsaon pag atiman sa FRs (It’s my first time to experience the true life of a family. I’ve seen the assistance of the government. I’ve seen how to progress, how to care for the FRs). The best. I’m so happy!”

Cheche shared that she was a former secretary and commander under the South Regional Committee TALA (Tangali Latian) of the communist armed group, or the New People’s Army, which operated in the mountain boundaries of the municipalities of Malita and Don Marcelino in Davao Occidental, and municipalities of Alabel and Malapatan in Sarangani Province.

“Naluoy ko sa akong pamilya. Kung magpabilin ko sa sitwasyon sa pagka rebelde, dili nako matabangan ang mga tawo (I felt sorry for my family. If I remain in my situation as a rebel, I could not help the people).”

She said the worst experience was when commanding wars against the government soldiers, where they had barely eaten because of food blockage.

When she surrendered, what came to her mind first was to utilize her capabilities positively.

“Gusto nakong mahimong CAFGU. Gusto nakong makatabang sa tropa ug sa LGU. Bilang secretary ka, daghang nahibal-an, sama sa unsaon pag organisa sa masa ug unsaon paspas mapasabot ug mabali ang isip sa masa (I wanted to be a CAFGU. I wanted to help our troops and the LGU. As a secretary, I knew a lot like organizing the masses, on how to make them understand, and on how to reverse their minds).”

Just recently, she recounted her story during the first Friends Rescued Summit held in the municipality of Malita, Davao Occidental, where 102 FRs from Malita, Sta. Maria, Don Marcelino, and Jose Abad Santos areas converged for the first time.

The Davao Occidental provincial government, in partnership with the 73rd Infantry Battalion, spearheaded the summit, where the FRs were treated to fun-filled activities and were provided with various assistance from government agencies.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development Office (DSWDO) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) facilitated the pay-out of cash 

She was also given farming tools and cash assistance for her small grocery, or “sari-sari” store.

“Dakong tabang ni. Giluwas ko sa kalisod. Feel nako ang pag palangga sa gobyerno. Gikalaban nako sila, pero nabati nako ang pag amuma sa tropa (This helped a lot. It alleviated me from difficulty. I felt the care of the government. I fought against them, but I felt the care of the troops),” she shared.

73rd Infantry Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Jaicris Jan Mendoza said they are strengthening collaborations with the local government units and national government agencies to provide for the welfare of the FRs through basic social services, and to ensure that they will not go back to rebellion. (CLC/PIA-XI)