A new year is a new beginning. For many of us, it carries immense symbolic significance, symbolizing a fresh start and a chance to put the past behind us and embrace new beginnings. 

Such is the case of Alias Jane, 21, a former member of the New People's Army (NPA), who surrendered to the government in hopes of living a new life with her own family. 

After five years of hiding, running and eluding arrest from the military, Jane, along with her partner surrendered in October 2023, finally reunited with her daughter. 

Jane shared her five-year experience scouring through the mountains of Eastern Samar and Samar as an NPA rebel, which started when she was only  16 years old. 

The recruitment 

With her classmates and some friends, Jane skipped classes and was swayed to attend the Pambansang Demokrasyang Paaralan (PADEPA) of the NPA in September 2018.

According to her, the PADEPA is an informal learning center that lectures different courses to individuals with the aim of brainwashing them, especially the youth, to join the revolution against the government. 

"After 5 days, inuli ak para magsumat kanda nanay nga masakob ako. Wara hira tugot han una pero nag-pinursige ako kay nadadara ak han ak mga sangkay nga sumakob. (I went home after 5 days to tell my parents that I would join the NPA; they did not allow me to do so, but I insisted because I was largely influenced by my friends)," shared Jane. 

In January 2019, she finally went to the mountains of Borongan to join the armed struggle as a medic and was eventually promoted as the "squad financial" who handles financial matters and inventory of supplies coming in. 

Remembering the struggle

Jane shared that living in the mountains, eluding arrest for five years, feels like walking on a tightrope. 

"Makuri sobra, kay bis halarom nga gab-e naglilinakat kami, danay alas dos na kami na kakadatong tam karadto-an, danay diri pa nakaka-abot ha karadto-an, nahigda nala ha dalan. (It was really difficult for us to move during nighttime, sometimes we arrived at our destination at 2 a.m., and sometimes we just sleep anywhere)," Jane said. 

She remembered walking for almost two days going to Samar with nothing but heavy firearms, solely relying on snails and young nipa shoots along the way for nourishment.

In 2019, Jane met her would-be partner Alias Jake, likewise an NPA member. Assisted by her uncle who is also an NPA rebel, she then gave birth to their first child a year after.

After experiencing the struggles in the mountains first-hand, Jane decided to leave her 1-month-old child to the "masa" living in the barrio or NPA supporters who were unrelated to her or her partner. 

"Makuri gad, masuol, pero kay aadto na ma ak, I need to go back, kailangan ko bumalik. (It was very difficult, painful, but I'm already there, I need to go back)," Jane said, holding her tears back. "Pero mas makuri an kahimutangan yana kay han una nakakakadto pa kami ha baryo, nakikita ko pa an ak kag-anak, yana nga mga panahon diri na kay damo na mga sundalo. (Before we could still go to the barrio and visit our child, nowadays, it's more difficult to do so because the army is everywhere), " she added.

The last straw

In 2023, Jane gave birth to another child. The baby lived for only a month and was buried in the mountains where she innocently fought for survival along with her parents.

The death of her infant child was the last straw that made Jane return to the fold of law. 

Strongly convinced by her husband, Jane finalized her plan to surrender to the army around October last year. 

"Pinakuha kami hin supplies, han primero nga operation binalik pa kami pero han ikaduha wara na kami balik. (We were ordered to get supplies in the barrio, we then came back with the supplies after the first operation but remained in the barrio during the second one)." 

She also shared that they had a failed attempt of surrendering before but not successfully executed because the NPA did not allow them to go down the mountains. 

The NPA also threatened her husband that the army will only harass them and rape Jane should they go down to surrender. 

A new hope

Two months after their surrender, Jane and her husband each received P50,000 financial assistance from Borongan City Mayor Jose Ivan "Dayan" Agda on December 13 under the Local Social Integration Program (LSIP) of the city government.  

"Igni-negosyo nam, barbekyuhan, mahatag dama hin guti-ay an ak asawa ha iya pamilya para makapag-negosyo dama hira. (We're going to use the money to fund a barbecue business, my husband will also give a small amount to his parents so that they could start a small business too),” answered Jane when asked where they will use the financial assistance. 

She happily shared that her family of three can now go wherever they want, escorted by the army because she still has an ongoing case. 

Jane also shared her interest to continue her studies and eventually look for a job to provide a stable future for her family. "Salamat han bumulig ha amon pagtikang han amon bag-o nga pangabuhi, dako in nga bulig ha amon. (Thank you so much to those who helped us start a new life, the financial assistance will be a big help to us)," said Jane further thanking the army and the City government. 

In her message to the remaining rebels in the mountains, Jane urged her former allies to also return to the fold of law and live a peaceful life with their respective families.

"Diri tinuod nga diri binubuligan han gobyerno an mga NPA nga nasurrender, kami aadi man yana, nagpapamatuod nga nabulig hira. Lugsong na kamo, diri kamo nira pababay-an, sugad ha amon, diri kami nira pinapabay-an. (We're here as a proof that the government helps those who surrender. Go down now, they will also help you, just like all of us here)," Jane explained.  (MMP/VTG/PIA-Eastern Samar)