Liberation – Page 22

Duterte’s Charter Change Exacerbates Repression and Exploitation

Published on February 2, 2018 in Editorial

COMMENTARY (Part 1)

by the Liberation staff

The three pending proposals for Duterte’s Charter Change (Cha-Cha) is not at all about the shifting of the form of government from unitary to federal system nor the sharing to the regions of power, wealth and development long centralized in imperial Manila. Neither it is a solution to the problems besetting the country. Duterte’s Charter Change is a ruse to lay the path for an authoritarian rule. It is anti-people, pro-oligarchs and foreign transnational corporations, and for imperialist hegemony. It is an ultimate plan to cow the people to submission as they are stripped off their fundamental rights.

Duterte’s Cha-Cha will exacerbate repression and exploitation and continued sufferings of the poor majority.

Rebirth of Drug Victims

Published on January 5, 2018 in Mainstream

Pat Gambao

A Run for Noble Meaning

After being a user-runner of narcotic drugs in a town in Central Luzon, Ato (not his real name), 21 years old, who had been into the addictive habit since he was 14, has metamorphosed to become a runner for the NPA and a youth organizer.

The transformation all started that night he was “hostaged” by a group of armed men whom he first thought were policemen. But they did not have a mobile car. Instead of taking him for a ride, they led him to the green fields where mango trees thrived. Other armed men came and they eventually introduced themselves as NPA. A man and a woman started talking to him as he trembled in fear. They said they knew about his felonious activities. They pointed out that that was a grave crime to the people and the revolutionary movement. He was further interrogated about his activities, made to explain and finally warned sternly. He thought it was his end but to his surprise they escorted him back home where he found his wife, parents and siblings waiting. He realized he had been set up. For the first time, he felt terribly shamed as the NPA enjoined him before his family.

Since then Ato persevered to shake off the bad habit. In time, upon learning he had reformed, the NPA visited him. This time instead of admonition, the NPA discussed with him the situation in their barrio and of its people, the how and why of it. Later, having confirmed that has really changed, the NPA began inviting him to meetings, study sessions and in the formation of youth organizations in the barrio. He organized even those he used to sell drugs to. This time, Ato coaxed the youth to worthwhile activities that would keep them away from drugs. He even helped some of them find jobs in construction projects where was working.

That began Ato’s involvement with the NPA. That also fired his interest in the cause of his barriomates and his eagerness to serve them, especially the youth.

He volunteered to help the NPA catch the big-time dealer who used to supply him with addictive drugs when they received reports that he was in the vicinity. The NPA had actually received many complaints about this guy. The NPA educated Ato on revolutionary justice and the workings of the people’s court. It enlightened him on the process undergone by the accused, who had committed a crime against the movement and the people–from the time complaints were received by the people’s government or the revolutionary mass organizations to the time the case was heard and until conviction.

When the big-time drug dealer was spotted, the NPA moved to arrest him to be tried in the people’s court but he fought back. The arresting army was forced to retaliate and shoot him. Justice was given at last to the lives he had destroyed for his personal gain.

Fulfilled Dreams in the Womb of the Revolutionary Movement

The scarce prospects of jobs and money in the rural areas have drove the youth to the cities. Bay and Dong (not their real names) were among those lured by the mythical marvel of the cities. They left home and ventured to seek greener pastures in the cities of their dreams.

Both Bay and Dong came from peasant families in the Visayas. Their families own small farms planted to rice and corn, as well as some farm animals. But due to the expensive farm inputs and usurious rates on their borrowed capital, they were hard-pressed.

Bay is the ninth of ten siblings. His competence in tending to farm animals, left with him the responsibility for their care which he enjoyed doing. Meanwhile, aware of the big expenses incurred in the schooling of his siblings, he was pleased to give way. Bay finished grade two only.

Eventually, as life turned formidably difficult, their farm animals, to which he had developed a special rapport, were one by one sold. To his dismay, he left their town with a cousin for Cebu City.

In Cebu, Bay bumped into rogues who pushed addictive drugs. At aged 12, Bay was tall and robust and his bucolic innocence made him a perfect catch to collaborate in their illegal activities. They tapped him as a drug-runner for a fee. They put sachets of the additive drugs all over his body concealed beneath his clothes. He was then sent to a designated place where men came to him and frisk his body for the drugs. He was paid well (P500 per delivery, which was usually twice) plus a sniff into the illicit substance. For a pastoral boy like him, it was a prized yield.

Hoping Bay could find a better job elsewhere, his brother fetched him from Cebu and took him to Manila. They stayed in an urban poor community in Tondo. At 14, Bay was tall and big for his age that he could easily be mistaken for an adult. Yet jobs were elusive and he again became prey to drug traffickers. This time around, transactions were bigger and clients were numerous.

Like Bay, Dong left for the city to look for better opportunities. While Bay was into drug running, Dong was merely hooked into the additive drugs as he did odd jobs for a living – newspaper/candy/cigarette vending, acting as porter in the pier of Manila near his home, driving “padyak” (a bicycle with a sidecar to carry people). In a life, where the hurdle is a Herculean challenge, where each day is a struggle to survive, thoughts of direction and purpose in life are set aside. Drug addiction is a handy escape from reality. This led Dong to a debauched, wretched life. He was into senseless vice and activities – drugs, gambling, drinking, womanizing, rumbles.

Meanwhile, Bay’s drug trade prospered after meeting a big-time drug dealer in his new abode in Sampaloc. While he used to peddle only a few kilos of shabu, this time it was bagful of the drugs in a “palit-bag” (bag-exchange) scheme in malls. The bag of additive drugs is deposited in the customer counter and the tag will be exchanged for money from the buyer who would then retrieve the bag.

Drug trafficking is a lucrative business and the high from the illicit substance gives a feeling of artificial relief and comfort albeit the disastrous consequences. Aside from the harm to one’s health, the illicit substance emboldens one to commit crimes.

With his similarly drug-intoxicated cohorts, Bay would rob people who were too drunk to go home and fell asleep in Rizal Park. He had heard of worse crimes resulting from drug addiction such as killings and rapes. However, the worst crime he ever committed was dragging his wife and mother-in-law into the trade, turning them to couriers.

Arrested twice for his illegal activities – one in Malabon and the other in Tayuman, he had experienced detention at the Malabon jail before his handler bailed him out. The next time around, he was merely admonished as it was the same police officer who had accosted him before.

Bay and Dong crossed paths in Sampaloc, where both drive pedicabs. While Bay was peddling drugs, Dong was just a user. Their camaraderie developed when they both joined the protest action against the planned phase-out of pedicabs in Manila. That struggle forged a bond between the pedicab drivers as well as the other community members who joined the protest. However, the organizers warned them not to sit on their laurels as the government might strike again to keep them away from the streets of the city. Heeding the advice, they organized themselves and planned courses of action to strengthen their organization. Initially, they held a meeting to assess their victorious fight and learn lessons from both its strengths and weaknesses. They held series of meetings, forums and study sessions thereafter, which had kept them busy. Here they discussed their situation and the causes thereof. They discussed the evil of drugs and such other vicious habits prevalent in urban poor communities. They were made to understand that this debauchery was precipitated by the decadent social system that profit from it. That it deliberately divert their attention from the problems dogging them so that they would not understand their causes and dare to find solutions that would boomerang on the system.

There were documents and books to read to boost their knowledge. Dong could have coped with the readings but Bay, having reached only grade two and a long time ago, faced some difficulty. He cringed in his seat to avoid being asked to read. However, he understood the discussions and really got interested that he strove to go back to whatever stock knowledge he had and learned to read by himself.

The organization not only raised their social consciousness, it gave them a sense of purpose and direction. They organized in the community and shared to them the lessons they have learned from the movement. Raising people’s consciousness, they believe, will spare them from being deceived forever. This is a modest service they could give to these people. They also shared the revolutionary discipline that they had imbibed from the movement.

Bay has realized the inanity of all his escapades in the drug mess. With the birth of his second child, he left his dubious past behind. He feels he is reborn, a new and changed man ready to confront the challenges of life and to impart meaning to others’ lives in the community where he belongs.

Enlightened like Bay, Dong opted to join the revolutionaries in the countryside. Yet he is very much aware that distance alone from drugs would not rid of addiction. It takes more to wipe out the bad influence of a decadent society. It takes revolutionary discipline and a noble mission, the lofty aspiration for people’s national liberation. ###

Isang Hapon ng Kwentuhan kay Ka Rio, Kabataang Makabayan, Hukbo ng Bayan

Published on November 30, 2017 in Mainstream

by Liberation Staff

Eskwela, pamilya, mga pangarap, buhay-pakikibaka. Ilan lamang ito sa mga ipinasilip ni Ka Rio sa aming kwentuhan, isang hapon sa isang sonang gerilya. Tunghayan ang isang millennial na sumasalungat sa dikta ng lipunang sa kabila ng kabulukan ay sumisibol ang mga kagaya niyang pag-asa ng bayan.

KAILAN KA NAGSIMULANG KUMILOS?

Naorganisa ako nu’ng second year college ako. Mula ako sa isang local State U (university) ng region. Kasagsagan ‘yun ng campaign sa tuition at miscellaneous fees. Dahil nga pabibo, e di join-join ako. Tapos alam mo ‘yung ano ng kabataan na adventurous, e di ganyan, sali-sali.

Nagpapapirma ako sa mga estudyante ng petisyon na wag natin payagan ‘yung ganito. Ayun, hindi na natuloy ‘yung plano sa school dahil sa petisyong ginawa ng mga organisasyon ng mga estudyante. ‘Yun ‘yung tumulong para i-pursue ang paglaban ng mga kabataang estudyante.

Pero hindi pa ‘ko nagtuloy-tuloy sa pagkilos nu’n. May patlang.
‘Yung sumunod, merong environmental investigative mission sa isang probinsya na merong problema sa mining. E dahil nga ma-adventure ako—at dahil dagat ‘yun!—e, di sama-sama ‘ko. Du’n ako mas na-agit (agitate). Bakit may ganito? Na sa kabila ng kayamanan ng Pilipinas, bakit may mga taong naghihirap— yung magsasaka, mga mangingisda? From there, nagtuloy-tuloy na ‘yung mga activities ko. Nag-gift giving sa isang komunidad ng mga katutubo. Du’n ako nag-Pasko sa kanila.

KM KA NA BA NU’NG PANAHONG ‘YAN?

Hindi pa ako KM (Kabataang Makabayan) nu’n. Basta aktibista. Isa rin ako sa KK nu’n— Kandidatong Kontak! Kasi nga ang tagal na pero hindi pa rin narerekrut! Ilang buwan pa bago ‘ko naging KM. Mula nu’n nagtuloy-tuloy na, hindi na ako napigil. Sumasama ako sa mga RTR (room-to-room) na pagrerekrut, pag-i-ED (educational discussion) sa mga estudyante.

Tapos, naglunsad ng mga pag-aaral sa isang sona (sonang gerilya), du’n pa lang ako nabigyan ng MKLRP, after a month na na-KM ako! Hahaha!

KUMUSTA ‘YUNG PAG-AARAL MO NU’NG NAGING AKTIBO KA NA SA PAGKILOS?

Sa eskwelahan, ‘yung oras lang na allotted sa mga subjects ko, du’n lang ako pumapasok. Tapos ‘yung the rest, nasa ibang kolehiyo na ‘ko, kumakausap ng mga estudyante, nagrerekrut. Hindi naman ako tumigil sa pag-aaral. Pinagsasabay ko ‘yung pagkilos at pag-aaral. Mas maano nga e, dahil guided na ‘ko ng MLM (Marxismo-Leninismo-Maoismo) principles, ‘yung kahit simpleng pagsusuri sa mga bagay-bagay, naa-apply ko s’ya sa loob ng eskwelahan kaya mas broader at sharper ‘yung mga pagsusuri sa loob ng eskwelahan.

Scholar ako. Hindi ako nagbabayad ng mga tuition fee kasi consistent college scholar. Basta ‘yun ‘yung ano ko sa nanay ko, na ok lang maging aktibista kasi hindi ko naman napapabayaan ang pag-aaral ko. Kahit sa gitna ng examination, midterm ganyan, nakakapunta ako ng mga activities labas sa eskwelahan. Nakakapunta pa ‘ko sa ibang probinsya. Hindi ako mag-e-exam pero kakausapin ko ‘yung prof ko, sasabihin ko na may mga ganitong activity. Dahil pinagkakatiwalaan nila ‘ko na hindi naman ako pabaya sa pag-aaral, pinapayagan nila ‘ko. Nag-e-exam ako pagkatapos na ng activity ko, ganyan.

Kasabay rin nu’n, ako ‘yung president ng academic organization namin sa school.

ANO BA’NG KURSO MO?

Psych. AB Psychology ako. Nagkasabay minsan na may pajama party kami sa academic organization namin tapos may ED din. E, ako ‘yung presidente ng org namin, hindi ako nakapunta sa ED! Hahaha! Nasayang ko ‘yung pagkakataon na ‘yun kasi du’n din sana ako bibigyan ng MK (MKLRP – Maikling Kurso sa Lipunan at Rebolusyong Pilipino).

HINDI KA BA PINIGILAN NG MGA TEACHER O KAKLASE MO NA BAKA MAKAAPEKTO SA PAG-AARAL MO ‘YUNG PAGKILOS MO?

Siguro dahil ‘yung eskwelahan namin may isyu dati na naghukbo ‘yung mga estudyante, tingin nila na ‘yung organisasyon na sinasalihan ko ay aktibista, rekruter daw ng hukbo, ganyan-ganyan. Sa unang bahagi hindi naman nila ako sinasabihang ‘wag ka d’yan’. Sabi lang ‘mag-ingat ka d’yan.’ E di, ‘ok!’.

PAANO MO BINALANSE ANG PAG-AARAL AT PAGKILOS LALO NA’T ISKOLAR KA?

Pwede kong isantabi ang pag-aaral ko. Babalikan ko siya pagkatapos ng activity. Kaya hindi naging hadlang ‘yung pag-aaral ko sa pagkilos— o baligtarin natin— hindi naging hadlang ‘yung pag-kilos ko sa pag-aaral, ganyan.

Kung nandu’n ‘yung kapasyahan mo na lumaban at ‘yung diwa mo na talagang maglingkod sa estudyante at mamamayan, kahit ano’ng panahon ‘yan, pwede kang lumarga. Hindi ‘yun nagiging rason basta nandu’n ‘yung diwang palaban mo.

Nu’ng fourth year, naging chair ako ng isang University-wide na organisasyon. E di, mas lalong humihingi ‘yun ng panahon sa pagkilos dahil ako nga ‘yung nakatoka. May campaign din, ‘yung pagpapataas ng budget para sa mga State universities kasi may banta pa rin ng pagtataas ng tuition.

Kaya nagpapaliwanag kami sa mga estudyante, hindi dapat burden ng mga estudyante… mga chuchu…dapat ‘yung gobyerno ‘yung singilin natin, ganyan. Another round ng petition ulit! Petition signing, recruitment, ED, RTR na prop ‘yung pinagpapalit-palit na ginagawa namin sa loob ng school.

Nagampanan ko naman ‘yung mga ganu’n habang nag-aaral. Tapos nagti-thesis pa ‘ko nu’n. Thesis. OJT. Yung OJT ko, thrice a week ‘yun pero sa pagitan nu’n pumapasok ako sa school para du’n pa rin sa kampanya, rekrutment, ED.

Kaya ayun, bongga lang ‘pag naiisip ko. Tumbling. Lagare! Hahaha!

ANO ANG NAGING EPEKTO NG PAGIGING AKTIBISTA MO?

Karerista ako nu’ng hindi pa ‘ko aktibista. ‘Yung goal ko talaga, maka-graduate nang laude— cum laude, ganyan. Dapat maintained yung grades ko, dapat college scholar ako lagi.
Nu’ng nagtibak ako, mas tumaas pa ‘yung grado ko, nag-university scholar pa nga ako. Kaya sabi ko, hindi talaga hadlang ‘yun. Kapag nakikita mo, mas lumalawak ‘yung pang-unawa mo sa mga bagay-bagay; mas matalino ka sa loob ng eskwelahan. Di ba? Totoo naman ‘yun, e. Kasi hindi ka nakakulong sa apat na sulok ng pamantasan. ‘Yung teoryang nakukuha natin, mas naa-apply ko nga lalo’t psychology ‘yung kurso ko: paano naaapektuhan ng lipunan ‘yung pag-iisip ng tao. Mga ganu’ng eme! Hahaha!

CUM LAUDE KA NU’NG NAGTAPOS NG KOLEHIYO, HINDI KA BA KINUMBINSI NG PAMILYA MONG MAGTRABAHO?

Pag-graduate ko, hindi agad ako umuwi sa bahay namin. Agad-agad, pumakat ako pagkatapos ng graduation. Kinukumbinsi ako ng nanay ko na umuwi kasi parang may salo-salo sa bahay. Alam mo na, graduation tapos may honors pa ‘ko. Pero sabi ko, wag na. Parang hindi ko na rin inisip ‘yung mga pahanda-handa. ‘Yung mga ka-batch ko ng hayskul may mga laude rin. E di kantyawan, ‘pakain ka naman!’Pero after how many months later pa ‘ko bago umuwi sa bahay namin. E di wala na, panis na! Hahaha!

ANO’NG GINAWA MO? SA’N KA PUMAKAT?

Nagkomyu (community) kami nu’ng bakasyon. Nag-school-based din ako pagkatapos. Pero ang mungkahi ko du’n sa mga kakolektib (collective) ko, ayoko du’n sa pinag-aralan ko. Gusto ko sa iba na. Kilala kasi ako ng mga dean, mga prof.

Tapos parang pinepersonal kasi ako dun e. Nu’ng wala na ‘ko sa school, may narinig akong kwento na sabi raw ng OSS namin, hindi naman daw ako deserving mag-cum laude chuva-chuva kasi nga raw tibak ako, ganyan. Bitter! Hahaha!

KAILAN KA SUMAMPA SA HUKBO? PAANO ‘YUNG PAGHAHANDA MO?

Two years ako sa YS bago ako nag-CS. Comedy lang ‘yung pagpasok ko sa sona (sonang gerilya) nu’n kasi hindi naman talaga ako magti-TOD (tour of duty). Parang meet and greet lang sa mga hukbo, ganyan. Kasama ko ‘yung mga bagong KM, pinapakilala sa kanila ano ang hukbo, eme. Ako naman joiner. Tapos parang ako ‘yung naantig ba, na magpaiwan! Hahaha!

Di ba kampuhan nga ‘yung pinasukan namin, ED festival. Meron du’n isang kasama na gusto nang magpahayag ng pagpupultaym pero 16 years old pa lang so hindi pa pwede. Parang naisip ko, ‘hala siya naiisip na niyang magpultaym kahit 16 pa lang siya, pero ako 22 na ‘ko, hindi ko man lang maisip ‘yun.’ ‘Yung mas bata sa‘kin nakakaisip nang magpultaym kesa sa’kin na mas matanda. “Ano ba, teh?” Ganu’n ‘yung feeling ko.

Tapos meron pang isang kasamang kadre-militar na galing sa lokal, medyo hirap magbasa. Pauwi ako sa kubo ko, nakita ko siyang nagbabasa nang malakas “DA-PAT-PAG-A-RA-LAN…” Matanda na siya. Sabi ko, ‘Ano ba ‘yan!’ Parang na-antig na naman ako. Dito ka na talaga, teh! Hahaha! Eto na talaga ‘yun. Kasi parang ang husay-husay na niyang kadre-militar pero gusto pa niyang mas mahusay na paglingkuran ‘yung mamamayan sa pamamagitan ng pagtataas ng kamulatan sa taktika ng pakikidigma. Kahit na hirap siyang magbasa pero dahil gusto niya, pinu-push niyang magbasa. Sabi ko sa sarili ko, ‘Ikaw ganito, nakapag-aral ka pa!” Hahaha!

WALA PA BA SA PLANO MO ANG SUMAMPA SA HUKBO?

‘Yung isang kasama ko lang talaga ang magti-TOD. Wala talaga ‘kong balak magpaiwan. Gusto ko pang mag-aral. Gusto kong magdoktor kasi pangarap ko yun. Nakahiram na ‘ko ng reviewer, nagpaalam na ‘ko sa nanay ko magte-take ako ng entrance exam.

Nasabi ko na rin sa mga kasama sa kampuhan na gusto kong magdoktor. Sabi nila, “E di dito ka na lang magdoktor.” Totoo rin naman, pwede naman talaga. Sa sampung taong namamatay, pito du’n ‘yung hindi nakakakita ng doktor bago mamatay. E lalo dito na sobrang layo ng ospital. Hirap talaga ‘yung masa kasi nga mamamatay na ‘yung pasyente pero nandito pa rin sila sa baryo, nandyan ka pa rin sa daan. Mamamatay na ‘yung pasyente pero papunta ka pa lang.

Tapos napag-isip-isip ko kung magdodoktor ako, sino ‘yung paglilingkuran ko? Syempre ‘yung mayayaman pa rin, ganyan-ganyan ‘yung rason ko. Isa ‘yun sa factor kung bakit ako nagpahayag na magpaiwan for one month.

Pero hindi ko pa naaabot ‘yung one month, nagdeklara na ‘kong magpultaym talaga sa hukbo. Aside sa comrade pressure, hahaha ‘yung eklabu ng mga kasama na “gusto nga nating baguhin ‘yung chuva-chuva,” nag-decide na rin talaga ‘ko.

MAHIRAP MAG-DECIDE PARA SA KAGAYA MO ANG SUMANIB SA HUKBO, PERO MAS MAHIRAP ‘YUNG MANATILI. PAANO KA TUMAGAL NANG MAHIGIT ISANG TAON NA?

Actually, wait lang kuha lang ako ng English ko. Pengeng panyo! Hahaha!

Ano, nakakatagal naman, e di ngayon isang taon at tatlong buwan na ‘kong pultaym. Syempre sa buhay hukbo naman talaga, hindi lang naman puro saya. May kakambal siyang sakripisyo, lungkot sa pagka-miss sa pamilya mo, sa labas… sa pagkain, char! Hahaha! ‘Yung bag ko nga dapat hindi nawawalan ng pagkain e. Kahit hindi mo kakainin basta nakikita mo ‘yung pagkain, pang ano lang, pampataas ng morale, “Uy may pagkain pa ‘ko!” Hahaha!

Sakripisyo at sakripisyo din talaga ‘yung ibibigay mo.

Hindi lang ‘yan hirap sa lakaran, kundi ‘yung sa morale din. Pero dahil sabi nga ni Mao, “’Yung katapangan ay nagmumula sa kamulatan natin.” Kaya ang dapat na pini-feed mo lagi ay ‘yung kamulatan mo—‘yung ideo ba—‘yung pagpapataas ng ideo. Para malampasan mo kahit na anong hirap. Kasi ‘yung diwa mo, nakaturol du’n sa layunin mo mismo, ‘yung prinsipyo natin na lumaban. Lagi’t lagi, parang napapansin ko sa sarili ko nagbabasa ako ng dokumento, o kahit na ‘yung I Engage pati ‘yung diary ni Tuy sa Vietnam, kapag nakakabasa ako kahit ilang pages lang, yakang-yaka ko kapag lakaran. Kayang-kaya mo talaga basta may kapasyahan ka. ‘Yun nga, ‘yung katapangan ay nagmumula sa ating kamulatan, sabi ni Mao.

‘YUNG PHYSICAL NA HIRAP, LALO NA ISANG BABAE, PAANO MO NILALAMPASAN?

Syempre dahil nga ano… malaki ako! Hahaha! Talagang hirap na hirap din sa akyatan. Hirap pa ‘yung pack ko. May baril pa ‘ko. Pero dahil nga sa mga kasama, hindi ka naman iiwan n’yan, e. Tutulungan at tutulungan ka. Papasanin ‘yung bag mo kapag hirap ka na talaga. Tutulungan ka nila hanggang sa unti-unti mong malagpasan ‘yung mga kahirapan, ganyan.

Bilang babae… hassle ‘pag tag-ulan. Mahirap din yung hindi makaligo. Tapos duduguin ka pa! Pero unti-unti, makakasanayan din.

Dati nu’ng kampuhan, hindi pa ‘ko hukbo nu’n, gumagawa ako ng sampayan. Pero hindi ako marunong magtali kagaya ng ginagawa ng mga kasama ‘yung hindi lumalaylay. Tapos 30 minutes nang nakasampay sa balikat ‘yung basa kong damit, hindi pa rin ako tapos. Umuulan din nu’n, gusto ko nang magsampay kasi nangangawit na ‘yung braso ko. Paano ba ‘to? Shet ayoko na! Hahaha! Sampayan pa lang ‘yun ha! Pero ngayon napag-aralan ko na, yakang-yaka na! Ilang buwan lang din, marunong na ‘kong gumawa ng sariling tent. Chicken!

Nung pumasok ako, may dala akong wipes (wet tissue paper). Good for yung stay ko lang. Kaso nagdesisyon nga akong magpaiwan na. Habang nauubos ang wipes ko, unti-unti akong natuto gumamit ng dahong pamunas pag nagbawas. Ngayon, alam ko nang ang dahon ng saging ang pinakamalambot na pamunas.

ILAN KAYONG BABAE SA YUNIT?

Less than 10? Tapos ilan lang ‘yung may asawa du’n, dalawa. ‘Yung isa may anak na, ‘yung isa wala pa. Pero pagka pati ‘yung kasama sa ibang yunit, mga 20 siguro. Parang pinaliit na platun.
Haluan din. May mga peti-b (petty bourgeois) galing Maynila, meron ding lokal. Maraming galing sa hanay ng kabataan.

ALIN PA ‘YUNG MGA KARANASAN MONG SOBRA KANG NAHIRAPAN?

Siguro sa lakaran mismo. Du’n pa ‘ko nag-a-adjust talaga, e. Lalo ‘yung mahirap na lakaran – maputik, maulan, mataas ‘yung putik sa dadaanan mo, tapos may komand pa na hindi pwedeng mag-ilaw kasi nga may kaaway sa paligid. Nu’ng nasa recovery area kami, yung half day paakyat, half day pababa sa bundok. Ang hirap din nu’n.

Du’n ko naranasan na two weeks hirap sa pagkain. ‘Yung galyang ‘yung ulam mo, galyang din ‘yung kanin mo. Ima-mash mo ‘yung galyang tapos ‘yun na rin ‘yung ulam mo. As in wala na talaga. Pati ‘yung pagsasawsawan mo ng galyang ‘yung mamasa-masa nang asin, as in! Sabi ko, ‘ano ba ‘to?’

Meron pa, ‘yung walang-wala na talagang bigas, walang kape, walang asukal. Wala talagang supply. Pinipigilan din ng mga kaaway na may makapasok na supply. Kahit ‘yung pagkain ng mga masa, hindi inaaprubahan. Pinapababa nga nila sa baryo para hindi raw sila makapagdala ng pagkain sa mga NPA.
May mga pagkakataong sampung araw na walang liguan.

Merong maghapon ka na ngang basa, uulanin ka pa. Pero walang bumaba (umalis sa hukbo) nu’ng panahon ng kahirapan na ‘yun.

NARANASAN MO NA BANG MAPALABAN? ANO’NG NARAMDAMAN MO?

Nu’ng parehong panahon din na ‘yun, nu’ng wala kaming makain. First time ko nu’n. Hindi naman ako masyadong kinabahan, ganu’n. Kinabahan ako nu’ng unang putok. Akala pa nga ng marami sa’min, kawayan lang na natumba. Pero nu’ng sunod-sunod na, hindi na ‘to kawayan, kaaway na to! Hahaha! Laban na pala ‘yun.

Nu’ng una, dahil nga first time ko makarinig ng putok, hindi ko alam ‘yung gagawin ko. Kinuha ko lang ‘yung pack ko tapos ‘yun, sumunod na ‘ko sa komand. Nahirapan akong kunin ‘yung turod kasi susi nga ‘yun, dahil nga mabigat ako－may pack pa ‘ko, may baril pa, malubak pa.

‘Yun naman, kailangan may presence of mind ka, ganyan.
May ise-share pa ‘ko pero pagkain na naman, e. Hahaha! Dahil du’n sa duration ng walang pagkain, walang supply, ‘yung breakfast namin nu’n ‘yung saging na matigas pa. ‘Yun ‘yung pinang-umagahan namin bago kami napalaban. Tigdadalawang saging ‘yung S4 (supply) namin. ‘Yung saging na ‘yun ‘yung nagbigay lakas para harapin ‘yung kaaway. Dalawang saging ka lang! Hahaha!

Hindi mahirap ‘yung laban pero mahirap ‘yung atras. Lalo na nu’ng may helicopter na. Feeling mo lagi kang nakikita nu’ng helicopter. ‘Hala baka mag-machine gun ‘yan!’ ganyan-ganyan. ‘Yun ‘yung worries naming mga first time napalaban.

Masaya pag nababalikan, nakakatuwa na nalagpasan lahat ng ganu’ng kahirapan.

PAANO KUNG TUMATAMA ANG LUNGKOT?

Minsan talaga napupuna ‘ko sa hindi ko pagsasabi ng mga problema ko. Tunganga lang ako, sa duyan lang ako, sa kubol lang ako. Pero sinisikap ko rin sa sarili ko na mag-open up kasi nga mahirap talaga pag may bagahe. Mas mahirap ‘yung bagahe sa isip kesa ‘yung bagahe mo na nakapasan sa likod mo, ‘yung pack mo. Pak!

Totoo naman, di ba? Mas madaling maglakad na malaya ‘yung isip mo. Kahit nga ‘yung wala kang dala, kapag may mabigat kang iniisip, ang hirap maglakad, di ba? Mahirap makalayo, mahirap makarating sa gusto mong puntahan.

ANO NAMAN PARA SA’YO ANG PINAKAMASAYANG KARANASAN?

Nu’ng na-witness ko ‘yung mismong pagtatayo ng rebolusyonaryong gobyernong bayan, ‘yung eleksyon ng mga opisyales, ‘yung pagbabalangkas ng plano, ‘yung programa ng isang buong taon, ‘yung kung paano mamamahala sa buong baryo.

Tapos itong kakatapos lang na anti-pyudal na kampanya – kung paano siya nabalangkas na tumurol sa pakikipagdayalogo ng mga magsasaka na naipagtagumpay na mapababa ang porsyento ng mga pautang sa kanila, ganyan.

Sa ngayon, ito rin siguro ‘yung isa sa pinakamasayang inilunsad ng mga hukbo na anti-pyudal na kampanya.

ANO’NG NAGING REAKSYON NG PAMILYA MO NU’NG NALAMAN NILANG SUMAPI KA NA SA NPA?

Huling uwi ko nu’ng May, nung eleksyon. Tapos June kami pumasok sa larangan. Mga bandang August, nagpapaalam ako na uuwi na muna pansamantala. Magpapahayag lang ako na magpupultaym na. Hindi ako pinayagan. Bandang November nang sumulat ako sa kanilang naghukbo na ‘ko, walang reply! Hahaha!

Later, nagpaabot sila na uwi raw muna ‘ko. Para raw maalis ‘yung hinala ng mga tao na NPA na ‘ko. Sabi ko, ‘hayaan mo, mapapagod din ‘yan!’

NAKADALAW NA SILA SA’YO DITO SA SONA?

Hindi pa. Takot pa sila

E, IKAW? NAKADALAW KA NA BA ULI? ANO’NG REAKSYON NILA?

Nitong nakaraan nakauwi ako. Kasama ko ‘yung isang ka-buddy. Naiyak ‘yung nanay ko kasi pumayat daw ako! Tears of joy? Hahaha! Kwento lang ng ka-buddy ko, kinausap daw siya ng nanay ko. “Alam mo,” iyak-iyak daw ‘yung nanay ko, “Bakit, ‘nang?” sabi niya. “Si Rio, ngayon lang pumayat ‘yan!” Tapos tawa nang tawa ‘yung ka-buddy ko habang kinukwento sa’kin, ganyan.

Tapos nu’ng pumunta kami ng palengke, sabi ng nanay ko, “Hala! Mangongotong kayo?” Sabi ko, “Hala! Ganu’n mo ba ‘ko tinitingnan? Grumadweyt ba ‘ko para mangotong lang? Kung talagang mangongotong ako, ‘Ma, magtatrabaho na lang ako! Mas malaki kotong du’n!” Hahaha! Hindi na siya nagsasalita kapag sinasabihan ko nang ganu’n.

HINDI SILA NANUMBAT SA’YO? ‘YUNG KARANIWANG SINASABI NA PINAG-ARAL KA PA NILA?

Wala akong narinig na ganu’n. ‘Yung tatay ko, sabi ko, “Pa, gusto ko ng pizza.” Sabi niya, “Magkano ba ‘yung magpatayo ng tindahan ng pizza? Magganu’n ka na lang dito!” Hahaha! Magbenta na lang daw ako ng pizza! Haggard! Alam din ‘yung kahinaan ko, e. Pagkain! Hahaha!

Pero unti-unti, kapag nakikita ng magulang na decisive ‘tsaka determinado tayo sa ginagawa natin, susuportahan naman talaga nila tayo. Na dito nila nakikita na masaya ‘yung anak nila.

PAANO KA NILA NGAYON SINUSUPORTAHAN?

Pagkain din! Hahaha! Nagdrama lang ako, sinubukan ko lang manghingi ng grocery. Sabi ni Mama, ‘O sige papadalhan kita.’ E, di sinabi ko ‘yung mga pangangailangan ko. Tapos sabi niya, “Kailan mo raw babayaran ‘yang grocery, sabi ng Papa mo?” Hahaha!

Tawa ‘ko nang tawa kasi hindi na ‘yung pag-uwi ko ang tinatanong ng tatay ko, ‘yung pagbabayad na ng grocery!

Nu’ng umuwi ako, sinamahan pa ‘ko ng nanay at ate ko sa pagbili ng mga gamit pagbalik. ‘Yung ate ko pa ‘yung nag-empake ng gamit ko. Happy! Bawas bagahe.

PAANO MO SILA INIHANDA SA GANU’N? MAY CONSCIOUS EFFORT BA PARA IHANDA ‘YUNG MGA MAGULANG?

Wala. Kasi ako nga mismo hindi handa! Hahaha! Surprise sa ating lahat!

Nu’ng hindi pa ako KM, nakapunta na ang mga tibak sa bahay. Du’n sila nag-Christmas. Tanong sa’kin ng nanay ko, “Nak, aktibista ba ‘yang mga kasama mo?” Sabi ko, “Hindi!” Ganu’n ‘yung tanggi ko. E, hindi ko rin alam pa nu’n kung aktibista nga sila. Hindi pa naman ako gaanong mulat kung ano ‘yung aktibista. Pero nu’ng nagra-rally-rally na ‘ko, feeling ko alam na nila.

PINAPALIWANAGAN MO SILA NG MGA GINAGAWA MO?

Oo, kinukwento ko sa kanila. Halimbawa ‘yung pakat sa community, ‘yung mining, ‘yung pagsasamantalang malapyudal, mga ganu’n-ganu’n. Tapos mga karanasan ko rin sa eskwelahan.

Naiintindihan naman nila kasi syempre nararamdaman din nila ‘yung hirap. ‘Yung korupsyon mismo ‘yung nakikita nilang rason kung bakit nga naghihirap. Kaya lilinyahan na lang ‘yung kaalaman nila. Papalamnan ko na lang ng anti-imperyalistang linya para wasto ‘yung pagsusuri nila.

NAGKUKWENTO KA RIN NG MGA NAGIGING KARANASAN MO RITO SA SONA? ANO’NG REAKSYON NILA?

Oo, nu’ng sumulat ako. Sabi ng mga kasama dito nu’ng pinabasa ko sa kanila, “Hindi naman ‘to sulat, e! ED to, e!”

Reaksyon? E, di mayat! Ok naman. Haha! Pero syempre dahil magulang sila, ang worry lagi nila ay ‘yung security. Sabi ko nga sa kanila, “dito nga nagpapamahagi na kami ng lupa!” Sabi ng Papa ko, “Pero inaanop (hina-hunting) naman kayo ng mga kaaway!” Sabi ko, “Ganu’n talaga kasi sila ‘yung nagkakait ng lupa sa mga magsasaka. Talagang ganu’n ‘yung gagawin nila. E, kami ‘yung nagpapamahagi ng lupa sa mga magsasaka.” Tapos hindi na nakaimik ‘yung tatay ko.

“Basta mag-ingat ka na lang d’yan,” ‘yun lang sagot niya. Tanggap na nila na dito na talaga ako.

LABLAYP?

Wala! Hahaha!

May naghapag dati ng program. Tinanggap ko for a time, binigyan ko ng one month pero wala talaga, e. Pero ayoko muna. Paunlad muna, hmmm char!

Syempre, dahil naman ikaw ay kabataan, meron ka ring prospect minsan, nagugustuhan, ganyan. Pero dahil nga ano…. Haayyy… bumaba siya.

ANO’NG PAKIRAMDAM MO KAPAG MAY MGA KASAMANG BUMABABA?

Nakakalungkot syempre. May mga naging ka-buddy rin ako na nawala na. Syempre ‘yung layunin na mag-maintain, magparami ng hukbo, magpasampa. Pero ‘yung kasama mo sana sa pagpaparami, sila naman ‘yung umuuwi.

Pero syempre, hindi naman nila iniuwi ‘yung rebolusyon.

ANO ‘YUNG PINAKA HINDI MO MAKAKALIMUTANG REGALO, ‘YUNG GALING SA LABAS?

Ano ‘to, slumbook? Hahaha!

Mas natutuwa talaga ako ‘pag may sulat. Pero syempre mas matutuwa pa ‘ko kung may pasalubong na pagkain ‘yung sulat! Hahaha! Palagi kong inaasahan, kapag may galing sa ibang larangan o sa lunsod, lagi kong tinatanong kung may sulat ba. Syempre nami-miss ko sila.

ANO’NG MOST LOVED MONG KARANASAN?

Slumbook nga ‘to! Hahaha!

Marami, lalo na dito sa sona. Sabi ko nga sa nanay ko, ‘wag mag-aala dahil marami akong nanay dito na nag-aalaga sa ‘kin.
Meron pa nga ‘yung halimbawa ‘pag nagpa-pack up na, lalakad na kami, feeling ko nagagalit yung masa. Ayaw paalisin ‘yung hukbo, ‘yung ganu’n. Gusto pa nilang mag-stay ‘yung hukbo. Syempre hindi naman pwede dito na lang tayo forever, ganu’n. Gusto pa nating magpalawak, ganyan.

Meron pa ‘yung iba, syempre dalaga ako, ‘yung iba gusto akong manugangin, ‘dito ka na lang.’Tapos meron pa ‘yung isang nanay na nagsabi, “Pag ikakasal ka, dito ka na lang magpakasal, ha. Para malapit lang ako.” Natatawa na lang ako ‘pag nakakarinig ng ganu’n.

Tapos ‘yung mga simpleng mga gamit. Mga gamit na kahit hindi ka humihiling kusa silang nagbibigay. Mga shampoo, mga sabon, kahit bag. Parang mahihiya kang tanggihan kasi nga bigay nila ‘yun. Kunin mo na lang.

Lalo ‘pag mainit ka rin makipag-usap sa kanila, talagang tatatak ka sa kanila. Hindi ka makakalimutan ng masa. Kahit simpleng pagtatrabaho lang sa loob ng bahay. ‘Yung dapat hindi nagtatrabaho ‘yung masa kapag nand’yan ‘yung hukbo. May magluluto, maglilinis, parang ganu’n. Rotation ‘yung mga kasama sa pagtatrabaho. Parang ayaw na nilang paalisin ‘yung mga hukbo.

Tapos ‘yung kahit gaano kalayo at nakakapagod ‘yung lakaran, kapag sinalubong ka nila nang kasing init ng iaalok nilang kape, ‘yun ang pinakamasarap.

MAY NARANASAN KA NA BANG NAHIRAPAN KANG MAKITUNGO SA MASA?

Mas sa expansion area, du’n sa ibang probinsya. Kami rin kasi ‘yung nakatoka. Team lang kami. ‘Yung isang sityo, pupulungin tapos bubuuan ng GP (grupong pang-organisa). Dahil nga expansion, tapos dekada nang hindi nakakadalaw ‘yung hukbo doon – mahirap, makunat. Pero dahil assertive tayo tapos hindi napuputol ‘yung pagpapamulat, pagpapataas bakit kailangang itayo ‘yung GP, pumayag din silang itayo ‘yung GP.

Pakikisama. Kasi ‘yung masa nu’n, ‘yung sa pakikisama, mahirap. Parang matigas sila. Parang ayaw magpatayo [ng GP]. Pero dahil may kinikilala silang panglakay(?), pinakamatanda sa sityo, ‘yun ‘yung sinusunod. Syempre du’n ka mag-i-invest ng pamulat. E di pumayag sila na tayuan ng GP.

Kasi isyu sa kanila, tres pesos ‘yung gabi per kilo. Luya, tres pesos. Pero pagdating sa palengke, mahal na. ‘Tsaka ‘yung sa mining area. ‘Yun ‘yung isyu sa kanila nu’n, kaya ayun naman ‘yung ipinaliwanag sa kanila. Kasi punung-puno rin ng isyu sa kanila. ‘Yung pyudal na pagsasamantala tapos ‘yung mining.

ANO’NG PINAKAMALAKING NAGBAGO SA’YO NGAYONG NASA HUKBO KA NA?

Pang-miss universe? Pengeng tubig! Hahaha! My pamili…. Hahaha!

Siguro ‘yung… dati mahiyain ako humarap sa mga tao. Pero ngayon, ‘yun ang isang na-breakthrough ko sa sarili ko, ‘yung pagkamahiyain.

Na-strengthen din ‘yung pakikisama at pakikitungo ko sa masa at mga kasama. ‘Yung madali akong makibagay sa kahit anong klaseng tao.

Tapos ‘yung lumawak ‘yung pang-unawa. Dati parang punung-puno ako ng subjectivism. “E bakit ganito? Dapat ganito! Dapat ganito!” Idealism at subjectivism. Ngayon, napag-aralan ko na, at patuloy pa ring pinag-aaralan syempre, na lawakan pa ‘yung pang-unawa. Lalo at ‘yung isang nakatokang gawain sa akin e ‘yung pagpapataas ng morale sa mga kasama. Pagtulong kung paano ang pagresolba sa mga personal nilang problema. Dapat ikaw mismo, ganu’n ka rin sa sarili mo.

Pero syempre, ‘yung pinakaimportante du’n, ‘yung kapasyahan mo na kapag may gusto ka talagang gawin na pagpapaulad sa sarili mo, syempre ibukas mo ‘yung sarili mo sa pag-unlad. Tulungan mo ‘yung sarili mo para umunlad ka. Kaya ‘yung lahat ng gawain, kung gusto mong matutunan, ‘yun ‘yung dapat mong maging aktitud. ‘Yung gusto mo laging may matututunan. ###

Peace (Talking) Heads [Part 3 of 3]

Published on September 13, 2017 in Mainstream

by the Liberation Staff

An Interview with Satur Ocampo, Luis Jalandoni, and Fidel Agcaoili

Through the decades of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) engagement with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) across the negotiating table, its peace panel has been successively headed by three of the movement’s comrades of unquestionable integrity and reliability—Satur Ocampo, who headed the first negotiating panel in 1986; Luis “Louie” Jalandoni who was chief negotiator from 1994 up to 2016; and, its current chief, Fidel Agcaoili who took over in 2016 when Jalandoni resigned. The three comrades, along with the other members of the peace panel, have become the personification of the NDFP through the highs and lows of the peace negotiations.

The peace negotiating panel serves as the channel and articulator of the positions defined by the leadership of the revolutionary movement. The panel members, especially the chief negotiator, are the face and the voice of the movement.

Liberation sought the three comrades to get their views on the regimes they have dealt with either as panel heads, panel member or as an “observer”.

Ka Louie Jalandoni and Ka Fidel Agcaoili were interviewed two weeks before the scheduled fifth round of talks, which the GRP cancelled in May 2017. Ka Satur Ocampo was interviewed in June, a week after the fifth round of talks was cancelled. The interview dates should be noted as they provide the context of their responses.

Since the interview, several events have already transpired. These events include the cancellation of the back-channel talks scheduled in July before Duterte’s second State of the Nation Address (SONA), the consequent threat to terminate the peace talks and the withdrawal of bail granted to former political prisoners who are participating in the talks as consultants, the extension of martial law in Mindanao, and the threat to bomb Lumad schools, among others. (Louie Jalandoni added his comments on these events in his interview.)

During their separate interviews, the three recalled what each thought was a historic moment in the talks, their frustrations and hopes, lessons and insights in dealing with the various GRP regimes, which also reflected the shifts in the peace negotiations.

From the point of view of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), the peace negotiations with the reactionary government are deemed as part of the total conduct of the revolutionary struggle – which essentially is “a struggle for just and lasting peace because it strives to solve the fundamental problems of the people”. Which is why, since 1986, the mutually agreed starting point of the GRP-NDFP peace talks has been to “address the root causes of the armed conflict”.
Satur Ocampo, 
first NDFP Peace Panel
Chairperson, 1986

FIDEL AGCOILI

Liberation: What are your thoughts as the new Chair of the NDFP peace panel?

Fidel Agcaoili (FA): Ay, naku! (Laughs). Additional work. Oo, talaga. I never expected this. In fact, when the idea was broached to me, I said no. I am actually more comfortable doing side negotiations or talks, what has come to be known as the cigarette breaks.

Now, I face them (the GRP panel) across the table as chief negotiator but still do the shuttling between the GRP and the NDFP panels to thresh things out. But, it’s good that other panel members and consultants are there to help guide me. Also, as panel chair, I am able to mobilize the peace panel staff fully, and they are all performing well. It’s good, di ba, to see your second generation doing their tasks well.

L: How are you after several months of being the Chair?

FA: Ay, talaga, pagod (Tired). Sometimes, I wonder where I get my energy. Siguro, adrenalin. The thought that the work should be done, that work should not stop until it’s done.

L: How did you feel when Ka Louie (Jalandoni) brought up the idea of resigning as chief negotiator?

FA: Oo. Yun na talaga. It was the third time he brought up his resignation as panel chair. After three tries (laughs) we needed to finally decide on Ka Louie’s request. Ka Louie was firm. And there was no way that he would want another extension. He is already 81, although he is still very sharp. The question is ‘why me?’ Bakit ako? But I guess it’s because I am the most senior among the remaining panel members.

L: Going back to the moment when it was finally decided that you would replace Ka Louie as chair…?

FA: Overwhelmed, overwhelmed talaga. I know it was going to be a lot of work. I was also concerned with how I could balance the role of talking with the GRP panel as chief negotiator and at the same time serve as the bridge between two panels outside of the formal negotiations to reach mutually satisfactory points of agreements. Eventually, with practice, I’ll achieve that balance. But as of now, it’s difficult.

L: How long have you been a panel member?

FA: Officially? I started in 1994. Louie was with the panel right from the start. Although in 1992, I was present in the deliberations on The Hague Joint Declaration, but I had no direct participation. I joined in 1994, when the talks resumed after two years of hibernation. After the signing of The Hague Joint Declaration, Pres. Ramos pushed for the NUC (National Unification Commission) headed by the late Atty. Haydee Yorac. But when the NUC had made no progress, Ramos decided to resume the peace talks. That was the time I joined the panel. The discussions then were first on the Breukelen Joint Statement, then on the JASIG (Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees).

L: Did you foresee that you would eventually be the revolutionary movement’s chief negotiator?

FA: No. But I was the NDFP emissary in initiating the 1986 talks. I was designated to talk with then Executive Secretary Joker Arroyo on how to start the peace negotiations and how to compose both panels. I went to Malacañang twice. I also talked with Ka Pepe (Diokno) who was the first GRP panel negotiator.

L: How would you characterize each regime you dealt with in the peace negotiation?

FA: In the case of the Cory Aquino regime, when she initiated the peace talks she was not in full control of the government. Her heart might have been in the right place in wanting to engage in peace talks with the movement, but the military and her economic advisers were against it. So, she demanded a ceasefire before negotiations and agreements on substantive issues. And the movement acceded despite the arrest of Rodolfo Salas and the killing of Ka Lando Olalia and Ka Leonor Alay-ay. A ceasefire was put in place even before any substantive agreement could be forged.

With Fidel Ramos, ah, that was surprising. He was, together with the military, the spoiler during the time of Aquino. Yet, in less than four months after taking power, he sent an emissary (a team actually) to The Netherlands to negotiate and sign the framework agreement for the peace negotiations which came to be known as The Hague Joint Declaration. Two years later, he formed his counterpart negotiating panel that worked out the other agreements on safety and immunity (JASIG), on ground rules for the formal talks, and on the sequence and operationalization of the reciprocal working committees. We even finished the negotiations and signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL), the first item in the substantive agenda.

With Estrada, ah, the peace talks were short lived. He terminated the negotiations and declared all-out war against the revolutionary movement. But this came after he had approved the CARHRIHL, as the principal of the GRP panel, together with Mariano Orosa, the principal of the NDFP panel.

Despite recognizing the role of the Left in putting her in power, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo eventually became a hostage of the military, which carried out the brutal and bloody Oplan Bantay Laya 1 and 2 that resulted in hundreds of extrajudicial killings, disappearances, forcible displacements of communities, arrests, torture and detention of activists and suspected NPA supporters and sympathizers.

But to Arroyo’s credit, she gave life to the CARHRIHL by approving the establishment of the offices of the Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC) to monitor the implementation of the Agreement. Together with human rights and lawyers groups, the NDFP section in the JMC was instrumental in opposing and exposing the campaign of extrajudicial killings and disappearances by the Arroyo regime.

Under Noynoy Aquino, there was nothing, no movement at all in the peace talks. Cacique kasi, walang alam kundi ang mag-video game at pangalagaan ang class interests ng kanyang pamilya (he knows nothing except playing video games and protecting his family’s class interests). Also, the social democrats were most influential on him, ideologically. His regime tried to undermine the major agreements signed during the Ramos regime: considering The Hague Joint Declaration as a document of perpetual division; the JASIG as a one-sided agreement and therefore inoperative; and the CARHRIHL as an NDFP document which has been superseded by the GRP’s laws. But it backpedalled on the CARHRIHL because the AFP had received funding from the European Union for trainings on the implementation of the CARHRIHL.

Now, with Digong (Duterte), there have been advances in the socio-economic reforms like the free distribution of land to the farmers. He promised to stand by it, panindigan ko yan, he said.

Speech from 3rd round of peace talks, January 2017

L: Which regime was the most difficult to deal with?

FA: Eh syempre, the most difficult to deal with was the Noynoy Aquino regime. At times, I wanted to tell them “putris kayo”, hahaha. Yes, I used the term balasubas (double-faced, cheat). Talagang ganun eh, balasubas. The Aquino regime wanted to negate the Hague Declaration, the JASIG. As concrete example, they committed to release political prisoners, in the presence of the Norwegian ambassador. Atty. Alex Padilla (then head of GRP peace panel) said they would release Tirso Alcantara, Alan Jazmines, and three more to get us back to the negotiating table. But, nothing happened. The political prisoners were not released. Eh, balasubas talaga, di ba?

L: Which regime is the most challenging?

FA: Challenging? This government (Duterte). Because we don’t know where Duterte is heading. It is mixed up and confused. But we need to push while always being prepared and vigilant. We need to push for maximum reforms and see how far we can go. Let’s see. That’s why it’s challenging. We need to get the necessary reforms for the benefit of the people, for the country to develop and advance. But we are also aware that he has his own interests, his class interests. Hence, the need for vigilance and preparedness.

L: The issue of ceasefire has always been an obstacle in the peace talks and you have consistently refused going into it before any social and economic reforms for the people are secured. Why did you entertain it this time?

FA: We went into a ceasefire as a sign of goodwill. But it was unilateral, that’s why it lasted up to six months. In a unilateral ceasefire, both sides have separate premises and you can decide anytime to terminate your declaration, especially when the people are on the receiving end of repression.

But a joint ceasefire is difficult because it binds you unnecessarily. Although we are not closed to considering this. The ceasefire the government wants could be the truce after the CASER and CAPCR were signed.

Until the fourth round of formal negotiations, we exercised flexibility, especially on the issue of ceasefire. But we cannot allow that to go on. I have told my counterpart in the GRP, Sec. Bebot Bello that they won’t get a joint ceasefire until the discussions on the social and economic reforms move forward. The GRP has been dribbling the discussions on the socio-economic reforms. One moment they would agree to a discussion on the ARRD (agrarian reform and rural development) then in an instant they would renege; the same with the discussions on NIED (national industrialization and economic development). They kept delaying the discussions on these two important parts of the social and economic reforms at the same time insisting on a ceasefire. I frankly told Bebot that we want agreements on reforms first.

L: Did Louie give you advice when you assumed the chairmanship?

FA: Ah, he said “try to moderate…” you know, there are times when I flare up even across the table. Eh, I am not really a diplomat. I am more, like I shoot from the hip, without thinking. Well, not really without thinking because there’s a wealth of knowledge gained from the many years in the movement, you know the principles, the policies and what’s happening on the ground. So you know when one is saying or doing something wrong. But I know, I just can’t shoot from the hip. Louie’s advice was helpful. I need to be a little more circumspect, which I am not. I thanked Louie. Of course, I am the chief negotiator now.

L: What qualities of Louie would you want to carry on as chief negotiator?

FA: Patience, patience, and his eloquence, di ba? I would really want to acquire those qualities. (Laughs).

L: Where do you think the peace talk is heading? What are your personal wishes?

FA: My wish is that we could sign an agreement within the year. We’ve already agreed on the framework of free distribution of land to the landless farmers. The GRP will have to give that through their own mechanisms, like legislation. Any such agreement is welcome. Then we can push this and fight for this on the streets, in the countryside and show it can be done.

That should also be the case on national industrialization so we can turn our mineral resources into finished products and then transform our economy. That’s what we are after. Let’s see.

But whatever happens, the NDFP should be ready with its own version of the CASER which we can circulate—our program in banking and finance, all the reforms we are proposing so the country can get out of the neoliberal paradigm.