DESTROYING FAMILIES. Lt. Col. Julius Cesar Paulo (right), commander of the Army's 23rd Infantry Battalion, criticizes the communist New People’s Army for disregarding the value of family among their members. Paulo led the celebration of Father’s Day on Sunday (June 21, 2020) with Army troopers and former rebels at their headquarters in Barangay Alubijid, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte. (Photo courtesy of 23IB)
BUTUAN CITY – A top military official in Agusan del Norte scored the communist New People’s Army (NPA) for destroying the family ties among its combatants and supporters.
Lt. Col. Julius Cesar Paulo, the Army's 23rd Infantry Battalion commander, said that based on the accounts of former rebels, the NPA would "forcefully" separate its members from their families while inside the communist rebel movement.
“The CNTs (Communist NPA Terrorists) are known for destroying families, of separating husbands from their wives and the children from their parents,” Paulo said in a statement Monday (June 22).
Paulo’s criticism came after the 23IB marked Father’s Day on Sunday with former rebels at its headquarters in Barangay Alubijid in Buenavista, Agusan del Norte.
During the celebration, former rebels testified about the difficulties they faced in keeping their ties with family members while inside the rebel movement.
"Inside the movement, bonding with our family members is not a priority. We were told not to mind our family members and focus on fighting the government. For more than two years, I have not seen my wife and children,” Jonel, a former member of the NPA's Guerrilla Front 4A, was quoted by 23Ib as saying.
Jonel also expressed gratitude to the 23IB for the chance to live a new life with his family.
During the Father’s Day celebration, Jonel was joined by her daughter Jasmin whom he did not see for nearly two years.
Paulo said the occasion also provided relief for 23IB troopers who have not seen their families for several months due to the coronavirus disease crisis.
“The former rebels, on the other hand, also longed to be with their families to recompense the months and years spent with the CNTs, for while inside the movement, they were not allowed to visit their families nor given time to have bonding with their children,” Paulo said.
He said the Father’s Day celebration reflects the Filipino values that emphasize “close family ties”. (PNA)
