Leyte: Recruited as minors, former rebels Ferning Canhatan and Guillera Gozon are now actively participating in the Philippine Army's effort to save the youth from the deception of the New People's Army (NPA). At 16, Canhatan, also known as alias Dods, was recruited as a warrior of the NPA in Agusan del Sur and later assigned to the southern part of Leyte province as a vice squad leader. He was a member of the NPA for 12 years.
According to Philippines News Agency, Canhatan, now 29, expressed his commitment to preventing youth recruitment into the rebellion. "We faced a lot of difficulties in the mountain, such as starvation, fatigue, and longing for family. Now, I am helping the military to inform the youth not to join the rebellion," he said during an interview at the 14th Infantry Battalion headquarters.
Gozon, also known as alias Eva, 22, and Canhatan's common-law wife, joined the NPA at age 13, influenced by her rebel parents in 2017 in Hindang, Leyte. She was part of the armed struggle for seven years. "When I was there, there were two minors recruited by the NPA. We're both girls. I was so innocent, and I was not even aware that we were in the mountain to fight government forces," she recounted.
The couple's escape from the NPA was prompted by hunger and fatigue, exacerbated by a lack of support from residents in previously influenced communities. This escape created a leadership vacuum, as 30 members surrendered in the southern part of Leyte, according to Gozon. "Now that we are on the side of the government, we don't want to see anyone, especially minors, join the NPA," she added.
Upon surrendering, Canhatan and Gozon, referred to as Bugoy and Maymay, received PHP30,000 each under the enhanced comprehensive livelihood integration program. They also received groceries from the local government unit of Mahaplag, Leyte, in December 2024.
Lt. Col. Edgar Gabia, commander of the Army's 14th Infantry Battalion, highlighted the significance of these surrenders as proof that peaceful solutions are possible through cooperation and government support. "The former rebels also help in our campaign. They volunteer to go to communities to give testimony and encourage other rebels to surrender," he stated.
Gabia emphasized the importance of former rebels' participation for the surrender of remaining active NPA members hiding in the mountains of Leyte and Southern Leyte provinces. He urged the NPA remnants to surrender and not wait to be killed during clashes.
