LEGAZPI CITY (PIA) — “Jerico,” not his real name, will celebrate Christmas with his family after spending a year in the mountainous areas of Ticao, Masbate, fighting for a cause he believed would lead to a better life.
He expressed his gratitude to the soldiers of the 96th Infantry Battalion for giving him a new chance at life and for not abandoning him despite his affiliation with the communist New People’s Army (NPA).
“Ginawa nila (NPA members) akong panangga sa mga bala ng magkaroon ng enkwentro, tapos iniwan nila ako sa bundok habang tumatakas sila. Sabi nila babalikan nila ako. Dalawang araw wala akong pagkain at tubig. Patay na sana ako kung hindi ako tinulungan at inasikaso ng mga sundalo,” “Jerico said in an interview with the Philippine Information Agency.
(My comrades used me as a shield during our encounter and then abandoned me in the mountains as they fled. They promised they would return for me, but no one showed up after two days. I was left without food or water and would have died if the soldiers hadn’t found me and taken care of me.)
He was initially taken to the Masbate Provincial Hospital; however, due to his worsening condition, which was exacerbated by dehydration, the battalion decided to arrange for a medical evacuation to a more advanced hospital with better facilities to treat him.
Major Frank Roldan, spokesperson for the Division Public Affairs Office (DPAO), said that the wounded NPA member needed to be airlifted via a Sokol helicopter to a hospital where he could receive comprehensive medical care.
Jerico sustained injuries during the armed encounter with government troops on November 21 at Barangay Cancahorao, Baleno, Masbate. After being overpowered, his companions hurriedly fled in different directions, leaving him in pain and bleeding.
From the site of the encounter, authorities recovered two M16 rifles, one .45 caliber pistol, one .44 caliber revolver, explosives, various personal belongings, and subversive documents belonging to the fleeing NPA members.
Christmas reunion
Jerico’s mother was tearful but filled with joy as she saw her son alive and gradually recovering from his injuries sustained in the firefight.
The emotional mother, who had once thought she had lost her son, expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the military for not hesitating to help him, despite their differing points of view.
“Daku daku ang pasasalamat ko po na magkasama kami ng aming pamilya kasi mahigit isang taon na hindi naming makasama yong anak namin kasi noong Pasko umiiyak po kami kasi wala ang isa kong anak. Kaya daku daku pasalamat namin sa army at sa pamahalaan, kung hindi po sa army patay na yang anak ko,” Jerico’s mother said.
(I am incredibly grateful to be reunited with our family after more than a year apart from our son. Last Christmas, we were in tears because one of our children couldn’t be with us. That’s why we are truly thankful to the Army and the government. If it weren’t for the Army, my son might not be alive today.)
After learning that his son was left in the woods, Jerico’s father calls on his son’s companions to surrender to the military.
“Kinuha biskwit nya, pati tubig kahit alam nilang may tama ang anak ko. Talagang mamamatay sya kung hindi sya ni- rescue ng mga militar. Yong nilalabanan nila, sila pala ang magliligtas sa kanya. Kaya panawagan ko sa mga kasamahan nya, tigilan na ang pakikipaglaban sa gobyerno. Kayong na recruit, bumama na kayo. Sakit sa ulo ang dala nyan sa mga magulang ninyo,” he said.
(They took away his biscuits and water, even though they knew my son was injured. He would have died if the soldiers hadn’t rescued him. Surprisingly, the ones they were fighting were the ones who saved him. I am calling on his former comrades to stop fighting the government. To those who have been recruited, please come down now. The conflict only brings heartache to your parents.)
Jerico realized that all the NPA’s promises of a good life were empty.
“Sabi nila, may sweldo ako. Gaganda daw ang buhay ko. Parati ako pinupuntahan sa bahay kaya sabi ko, baka ito na ang pag asa ko. Mali pala. Nasa gobyerno ang pag asa Pero masaya pa din ako dahil kasama ko na ang pamilya ko ngayong Pasko,” Jerico said, his eyes shining with excitement.
(They promised me a salary and assured me that my life would improve. They kept coming to my house, so I thought this might be my opportunity. I was wrong. The real hope lies with the government. Nevertheless, I am grateful that I will be spending Christmas with my family.) (PIA 5)
