THE REAL WAR
In the photos: From left to right are radio broadcasters, Capt. Stephanie Quiapo, Nally, 1Lt. Kristene Bernadette Macaraeg and the writer, Mae Barangan; the hospital where Nally is being taken cared of.
In everything that we do, in every place we go, we will meet war disguised by poverty, social injustices, personal conflict caused by our biases, and numerous pressing issues in society. If you are not born without optimism, you’ll be consumed by anxiety due to politics and governance. Just when you know it, you’re already canned; wanting to fix the complexity of your existence full of ambitions but at the same time, worries. And when hope doesn’t seem to be realized, revolt comes into mind.
As your tangled mind begins to be aroused; you will be anchored to believe that using arms to attain justice will help you create a sociopolitical transformation. Thirsty for changes, you’ll be an actor in a stage of conflict against the government. A clash of classes will become inevitable thus, the Karl Marx dogma becomes popular. But unknowingly, your life will be like quicksand. The more movement you create, the lesser chance you get out of it, alive.
For the past 54 years that the armed revolution created by the Communist Parties of the Philippines-National People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) which primarily aims to overthrow the government, thousands of lives of soldiers were sacrificed in this fight against insurgency. Of these casualties, have we ever broadened our horizons to at least give our share in this conflict? The soldiers are tasked to serve the people and secure the land, what would be our share as we enjoy the dividends of the sacrifice that the soldiers are giving?
On Nov. 17, 2020, as personal advocacy, I shared some of my blessings at the residents of Farmville, a temporary “holding area” of former rebels located inside a lot at the 5th Infantry (Star) Division based in Camp Melchor F Dela Cruz in Brgy. Upi, Gamu, Isabela. The smiles of the children and their parents who were former rebels were pleasing to the eyes; filling a portion of emptied space in my heart. Among the children whom I interacted with, was Nally, whose dilapidated scarred face caused by third-degree burns crumpled me. The left side of her face was distorted to include her eye which she cannot fully close. In effect, she is more prone to bacterial infections as even a deep sleep can’t make it close. But in spite of her condition, just like any other child, she is cheerful; full of hope. There is no trace in her eyes of a sorrow one is expected to carry for having such a distorted face. Her innocence covers the sad truth that her appearance could mean trouble when she grows older.
When the sun went down, I left Farmville with satisfaction as I was able to bring a bunch of joy, even just for a while.
Two years later, in the process of conceptualizing another book that would theme the social effects of this war on insurgency; whose responsibility would the solution be, a story about a ten-year-old girl who is a victim of this senseless war came out, which may be a good material for the book I am writing. As a storyteller, I went to the 5ID Station Hospital to personally visit the girl for a possible feature story to be written. At first glance, she looked familiar. So, I tried to reconcile my wondering eyes and confused memory until I was able to recall- she was the girl I pitied before. She was the cheerful little Nally that I’ve met. At that moment I learned that the 5ID family has facilitated a series of surgeries including all the expenses that were incurred during the process.
Learning from Nally’s story, we can reflect here on the essence of solicitude. Tracing back, it’s not just Nally’s face that we should be pitiful of but the melancholic childhood experience that she’ll be remembering all throughout her life. To note, she had to endure the ordeal of moving from one place to another as her parents has to avoid being caught in a firefight with the government security forces. That due to the rebellious movement in which her parents were involved in, their lives were chaotic. An accident transpired when her mother was busy preparing their food after running away from the patrolling soldiers. The one-year-old Nally fell on the ground and rolled towards the fire helplessly, thus her burn scars.
Ten years after that unfortunate incident, her parents surrendered to the authorities. They were able to receive the E-CLIP benefits the government has offered to the rebel returnees. They were also housed at Farmville where they are now temporarily living peacefully- the way a family should.
As the Philippine Army continues to fulfill its task of serving the people while securing the land, two soldiers died in an ambush in Abra, while on their way to perform disaster relief operations brought about by a strong earthquake. Ironically, as the Communist Party continuously violates human rights and terrorizes the people, the Armed Forces as a government entity cannot employ an “eye for an eye” approach to the conflict. Instead, they emphasize that they are a legitimate government organization, thus they practice humane treatment and adhere to international humanitarian law.
Many soldiers have offered the supreme sacrifice in this fight and the campaign will continue until the end state is achieved. The Philippine Army and the National Police will continue to guard the peace, stability, and security so that we, the populace can sleep soundly when we retire from a hard day’s grind.
As these security forces painstakingly risk their lives, when do we ask ourselves what have we done to contribute to the peace and stability that we experience at present?
If the soldiers can initiate and fulfill the realization of little Nally’s dream who is an adversary’s child, can we not as civilians enjoying the fruits of our soldiers’ labor offer some social responsibility over the orphaned children of the soldiers who have offered the supreme sacrifice?
In the government’s whole nation approach to ending the local communist armed conflict, the different government agencies are doing their parts. We as the recipients of these dividends of peace, WHAT ROLES SHOULD WE PLAY?
“Walang magmamalasakit at magmamahal sa Pilipinas kung hindi tayong mga Pilipino; walang tutulong sa Pilipino kung hindi kapwa Pilipino,” the mantra of BGen. Audrey L. Pasia, Commander of 5ID. The essence of this phrase is simple but it becomes complex if we don’t have the heart to fulfill our duty as citizens and that is the real war.# Mae Barangan/Ivan Barrameda
