MATAPAT@36 | 53IB Announces Publication of “Breaking Free From Communist Deception” Book

The Philippine Army’s 53rd Infantry “MATAPAT” Battalion (53IB) announced the publication of a book about Filipino youths who were recruited and deceived by the Communist Party of the Philippines-News People’s Army titled: “Breaking Free From Communist Deceptions: Compelling Stories of Youths Recruited, Deceived by CPP-NPA” in a simple program with Zamboanga del Sur 1st District Representative and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Divina Grace C. Yu as Guest of Honor and Speaker on January 26, 2020, at 53IB Headquarters Camp David P. Sabido, Guipos, Zamboanga del Sur.

The publication of the book, written by Pagadian City-based journalist Leah D. Agonoy and 53IB Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Jo-ar A. Herrera, was part of 53IB’s 36th Founding Anniversary celebrations with the theme: “MATAPAT@36: Remember with Gratitude, Renew with Passion.”

“The book highlights eye-opening narratives of actual accounts of young people’s experiences, who were once deceived but were able to break free from the shadows of communist deceptions in the Zamboanga Peninsula,” Lt. Col. Herrera said in his welcome remarks during the program.

“The detailed illustrations of events are compelling to dissuade anyone who would consider membership to the CPP-NPA terrorist organization,” Lt. Col. Herrera said.

“May this book inspire more young people to rally against the false communist ideological practices and deceptions of the CPP-NPA and its masked legal front organizations. Those who have already been recruited and joined the communists are persuaded to surrender and give up the distressing life with CPP-NPA,” Lt. Col. Herrera said.