Ending Insurgency

FR’s SECOND CHANCE OF LIFE: Court Orders Discharge from Prison, Government Releases Former NPA Rebel

A former member of Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) was issued by the court with a Certificate of Discharge from Prison was released from provincial jail on May 21, 2021 after being absolved of 13 criminal cases filed against her.

After being detained for 8 months, Mavic Millavelez Abuhan alias “Chubby,” a former political guide of the defunct Guerilla Front KARA of the CPP-NPA’s Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee (WMRPC), was released from prison through the efforts of the Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Task Force for Ending Local Armed Communist Conflict (PTF-ELCAC) Legal Cooperation Cluster.

“The Philippine Army’s 53rd Infantry ‘Matapat’ Battalion and the Provincial Government of Zamboanga del Sur were persistent in providing legal assistance to Chubby until her release,” 53IB Commanding Officer Lt.Col. Jo-ar Herrera said. Recruited to the NPA at 16 minor age, Chubby was deceived to join the communist terrorist group.“They took advantage of my weakness.They were able to persuade me to join their legal front but I was actually recruited into the NPA,” Chubby said.

Chubby spent more than 17 years of distressful life with the NPA. Chubby was already 33 years old when she went back to the folds of the law in March 2019.

After her surrender, the 53IB provided Chubby with various financial and livelihood assistance to help her in peacefully regaining her life. But she needed to face the charges filed against her for being a member of the CPP-NPA. “Chubby deserves justice on the filed cases against her because she was a victim of CPP-NPA deceptions. The swift decision of the Court to absolve Chubby and release her from prison indicate that the legal system truly works fair and square for former NPA rebels,“ ZDS Provincial Legal Officer and PTF-ELCAC Legal Cluster Head Atty. Jackielyn Krystyl Nehema Bana said.

“Your Army’s resolve in ending the local communist armed conflict is evident among our initiatives in providing financial, livelihood, and legal assistance to former NPA rebels,“ 1st Infantry “Tabak” Division Commander Maj. Gen. Gene Ponio said.

“This is another milestone in our efforts to provide legal assistance and help former NPA rebels regain better lives. Chubby’s case is a manifestation that the government is committed in assisting those former rebels with pending cases, related to their previous affiliations as members of the Communist Terrorist Group, once they voluntarily return to the folds of law,“ 102nd Infantry “Igsoon” Brigade Commander Brig. Gen. Leonel Nicolas said.

“As we recognize them as Friends Rescued and victims of the CPP-NPA’s false ideologies, your Army believes that acquiring life’s second chance provides people with dignity and allows them to achieve their potential as contributing members of our peaceful communities,” Lt.Col. Herrera said.

The Matapat Troopers’ efforts in providing assistance to former NPA rebels is part of the 53IB’s drive to pursue transformation to become a world class Army that is a source of national pride by 2028 in line with the Army Transformation Roadmap (ATR).

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