FAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY – MANILA

Institute of Arts and Sciences

Department of Political Science

Beyond Underground, the Reintegration of Former NPA Rebels to the Mainstream Society:
Roles and Perspectives

A Research Paper presented to

the Department of Political Science
Institute of Arts and Sciences
Far Eastern University-Manila

In Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for
the Degree of
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science

Cornelio, Patricia Isabel E.

Daquiz, Ralph Randel S.
Dela Cruz, Edgardo II DJ.
Gracia, Jumel Alexander M.
Lenon, Jasmine Meryll O.
Macmod, Walid Z.

Prof. Daniel Joseph T. Pante

Thesis Adviser
 Abstract

This study sought to determine and analyze the perspectives of the former New People’s

Army (NPA) rebels prior, during, and after the reintegration program as well the roles of the

government agencies involved in the whole process of reintegration. Specifically, it answered the

following questions: the roles of the respective agencies in the reintegration process in terms of

their perspectives on the identification and validation of prospective former NPA rebels, the

duration of the program, and monitoring and evaluation; the perspectives of the rebels in terms of

the factors that led them to surrender, the conduct of the reintegration process, and the factors

that influenced them to co-exist with the society, and lastly; the strengths and weaknesses of the

reintegration program.

A descriptive-qualitative analysis was employed on the data gathered from six (6) former

NPA rebels in Nueva Ecija and a representative from each of the five (5) government agencies

involved in the reintegration process. The data was gathered through in-depth interviews with

two (2) sets of semi-structured questions for the former NPA rebels and the government.

After the interpretation of data, the researchers traced the inconsistency of the statements

of the former NPA rebels and the government agencies involved in the reintegration program.

The government promised enticing benefits that will help its beneficiaries in starting anew in the

mainstream society. However, according to the former NPA rebels, those benefits never reached

the palm of their hands even after years of totally cutting their ties with the organization. This

anomaly, as analyzed by the researchers from the statements of the government representatives,

roots from the poor implementation of the program. Nonetheless, despite this inconvenient truth,

the former NPA rebels still decided to permanently co-exist with the society for security purposes

and to perform their familial duties.

 Thus, through key informant interviews, direct observations and immersion, the findings

indicate that the roles of the government agencies overlap which makes the implementation of

the program inefficient despite its assuring and comprehensive benefits. Consequently, the

reintegration program failed to address the primary sentiments of the rebels and the main reason

for their rebellion. Threats, and to some extent, loss of natural, constitutional and statutory rights,

a brotherhood forged by time, circumstances and family ties were some factors that led the rebels

to surrender. However, data suggest that they are disillusioned by the program. This goes to show

that behind every rebel is a heart of an ordinary human being who longs for solace, but, still, was

deprived of the rights that they are entitled to, even after getting reintegrated to the society.
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The study entitled “Beyond Underground, the Reintegration of Former NPA Rebels to the

Mainstream Society: Roles and Perspectives” would not be accomplished without the help of

generous Individuals. We would like to thank everyone who made this research possible.

First and foremost, God, our heavenly Father, who guided us all along and kept us safe on

our journey in accomplishing this research. Our families, most especially our parents, for their

never ending support, morally and financially. Thank you for being patient and understanding as

we are struggling in our research.

Fiscal Carolyn Amis, who contributed a lot in our research by leading us to our rebel

respondents and allowing us to immerse and be with them. Ms. Luisa M. Sison, Mrs. Cornelio,

and Mr. Gracia for helping us locate our other rebel respondents. Mr. And Mrs. Daquiz, for

accommodating our stay as we gather our data in Nueva Ecija. The government agency

representatives that we interviewed for being so accommodating and responsive.

Our research professors, Mr. Gemeniano S. Bentor Jr. and Mr. Reynold D. Agnes, for

guiding us all the way from the very beginning. Our oral examiners, Prof. Mark Salvador O.

Ysla, Prof. Ildefonso R. Fulgar III, and Prof. Philip Jay N. Alcoberes for sharing their expertise

in the field.

Last but never the least, we would like to thank our thesis adviser, Mr. Daniel Joseph T.

Pante, who believed from the start that we are destined for something great and who never

doubted us when we were doubting ourselves and our abilities. Mr. Pante, thank you for all the

hardships that we endured together and thank you for going beyond just being a thesis adviser.

Thank you for being a friend and a guide all throughout.

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

List of Figures x

List of Tables xx

List of Abbreviations and Acronyms xxx

CHAPTER 1: THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

A. Introduction 1
B. Theoretical Framework 4
C. Statement of the Problem 7
D. Conceptual Framework 8

i. Figure 1.0 8

E. Significance of the Study 9

F. Scope and Delimitation 10
G. Definition of Terms 10

CHAPTER 2: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

A. The Left in the Philippine Politics 13

B. NPA as Revolutionary Armed Group 15
C. Government Counter-Insurgency Schemes 20
D. Reintegration Process 23
a. History 23
b. Enabling Law 28
E. Foreign Reintegration Programs 30
a. Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration in Africa 30
b. Program Reintegrating Former Rebels in Congo ‘s Ituri District 31
c. Rebuilding Lives in Community: Linking Lessons from

Ex-Offender and Ex Combatant Reintegration 32

d. Reintegration: Agreement on Ending Hostilities in the

Republic of Congo 34
e. Reintegration in Burundi 35
F. Nueva Ecija as the Rice Bowl of the Philippines 36
G. Synthesis 37
CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

A. Research Design 39
B. Locale of the Study 40
ii. Figure 2.0 40
C. Respondents and Key Informants 41
D. Research Instruments 42
E. Data Gathering Procedure 43
F. Method of Analysis 44

CHAPTER 4: PRESENTATION, INTERPRETATION, AND ANALYSIS OF DATA

A. The New People’s Army 45

B. Description of Data 45
C. Background of the Former NPA Rebel Respondents 46
D. The Reintegration Process 48
a. Government Agencies Involved 48
b. Flowchart of the Reintegration Process 51

iii. Figure 3.0 52

E. Factors that led to the surrender of Former NPA Rebels 53

a. Financial Incapacity 53
b. Willful Submission to the Government 55
c. Sense of Belongingness to the Family 56
d. Certain Restrictions of the Organizations 58
e. Sense of Camaraderie 59
f. Persistence of Threats 61
F. The Conduct of Reintegration Process 63
a. Enticing Benefit of the Program 64
b. Incompetent Delivery of Services 64
c. Freedom from Restraints 66
d. Ineffective Implementation of the Program 67
G. Factors that Influenced the Former Rebels to co-exist with the Society 68
a. Ability to Cope with the Society 69
b. Sense of Responsibility to the Family 70
H. Strengths and Weaknesses of the Program 72
iiii. Table 1.0 72
a. Strengths 72
b. Weaknesses 73
c. Opportunities 75
d. Threats 76
CHAPTER 5: SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS, AND

RECOMMENDATIONS

A. Summary of Findings 79
a. Problem No. 1 80
b. Problem No. 2 81
c. Problem No. 3 83
B. Conclusions 84
C. Recommendations 85
a. Policy Reforms 85
b. Methodological Revision 88
c. Further Studies 89

APPENDICES

A. Interview Questions
a. Former Rebels 91
b. Government Agencies 93
B. Letters
a. Request Letter to the Armed Forces of the Philippines 95
b. Request Letter to the Department of Interior and Local Government 97
c. Request Letter to the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process 99
d. Request Letter to the Provincial Social Welfare Development Office 101
e. Certification from the Department of Interior and Local Government 103
f. Rejection Letter from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process 104
C. Compilation of Analysis 105
iiii. Table 2.0 105
D. Transcripts
a. Key Informant Interview 1 (Former Rebel) 114
b. Key Informant Interview 2 (Former Rebel) 127
c. Key Informant Interview 3 (Former Rebel) 135
d. Key Informant Interview 4 (Former Rebel) 143
e. Key Informant Interview 5 (Former Rebel) 154
f. Key Informant Interview 6 (Former Rebel) 162
g. Key Informant Interview 7 (Former Rebel) 178
h. Key Informant Interview 8 (Philippine National Police) 186
i. Key Informant Interview 9 (Provincial Social Welfare Development Office) 193
j. Key Informant Interview 10 (Department of Interior and Local Government) 203
k. Key Informant Interview 11 (Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process)

208
l. Key Informant Interview 12 (Armed Forces of the Philippines) 227
E. Documentation 240
BIBLIOGRAPHY 247

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

List of Figures

1.0 Conceptual Framework 8

2.0 Map of Nueva Ecija 40

3.0 Flowchart of the Reintegration Process 52

List of Tables

1.0 SWOT Analysis 72

2.0 Analysis Compilation 105

 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS

AFP Armed Forces of the Philippines

CAFGU Citizens Armed Force Geographical Unit
CLIP Comprehensive Local Integration Program
CPP Communist Party of the Philippines
CTUP Congress of Trade Unions of the Philippines
CVO Civilian Volunteer Organizations
DILG Department of Interior and Local Government
FR Former Rebel
GRP Government of the Republic of the Philippines
IRP Individual Reintegration Plan
KAP Katipunan ng mga Anakpawis ng Pilipinas
LGU Local Government Unit
LSWDO Local Social Welfare and Development Office
MAN Movement of the Advancement of Nationalism
MASAKA Malayang Samahang Magsasaka
NDF National Democratic Front
NPA New People’s Army
OPAPP Office of the Presidetial Adviser on Peace Process
OUT Our Urgent Task
PKP Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas
PMO Program Management Unit
PNP Philippine National Police
SCPW Specific Characteristics of our People’s War
SIP Social Integration Program
 ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Tricia Cornelio was born on Nov 21, 1994 in Manila. She graduated with
honors in high school and is currently a consistent academic scholar at
Far Eastern University. She was a delegate on various forums and
conferences both national and international, and is also an advocate of
addressing poverty in the country.

Ralph Randel Sariente Daquiz is a graduate of Bachelor of Arts in

Political Science at the Far Eastern University-Manila. He finished his
On-the-Job Training at the Office of the President, National Youth
Commission. He was a former Sangguniang Kabataan President in the
Municipality of Talavera, in which he was awarded as one of the most
active SK Presidents. He was also a former member of the Philippine
Councilors League and a national delegate to the Philippine Model
Congress. His dream is to enter public service so that he could continue
serving the youth in his province.

“Rise and rise again until lambs become lions”

Edgardo D.J. Dela Cruz is a 4th Political Science
student in Far Eastern University, he is from
Guimba Nueva Ecija. Edgardo is the youngest son
of Mr. Edgardo B. Dela Cruz and Mrs. Fidela D.J.
Dela Cruz, he’s turning 21 this September 28, 2016.
He spent his childhood in Nueva Ecija, his family
describes him as an obedient son while his friends
describes him as a person that you can always rely
on. After his long stay in Nueva Ecija he went to
Manila to study Political Science in Far Eastern
University. In year 2012 Edgardo began his life as a
college student, new place, new school and new
people that he would be meeting. In his four years residency in college he
balanced his time for studying, time with friends and family, he faced the
hardships of being a student and manage not only to pass but have a
satisfactory grades that he wants.

“Valar Morghulis”
Jumel Alexander M. Gracia was born on August 27, 1994 in UST
Hospital, Manila. He graduated with honors in both Elementary and
Highschool. He is known to take life so lightly but is so afraid of
oblivion. As a political science student, he has mastered the art of not
sleeping and cramming. Currently, he is aspiring to become a well-
respected and awesome lawyer.

Jasmine Meryll O. Lenon is someone who dreams big in life without

having any idea on how to achieve that dream. She is still confused as
of the moment on what she really wants to do, but she leaves things on
fate and often settles on the belief that God’s plan will happen no matter
what the circumstance is. Hence, the future for her is literally
unpredictable. However, she still would like to believe and still hopes
that she is destined for something great and would do anything for that
once she is sure about what she wants.

“Verily, after every difficulty there is relief.” – Qur-an, Al-sharh, 5

Walid Zacaria Macmod was born on April 13, 1995 in Chinese
General Hospital, is a graduating student of Bachelor of Arts Major
in Political Science. He is known to be a versatile person. He was
adroit dealing with life in spite of complication. As he already
succeeded dealing with difficulties, he finds it amusing, looking
back because everything is different now.