CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Marila Taquin, a former NPA rebel, now a member of 8th Infantry (Dependable) Battalion topped her class in the Alternative Learning System (ALS) during their graduation rites at 4th Division Training School (4DTS), Camp Osito Bahian, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, 13 September.
Marila Taquin, together with 6 more members of 8IB, were among the thirty-eight (38) who were enrolled and completed the elementary and secondary curriculum of the Alternative Learning System (ALS).
This milestone of them was made possible through the efforts of the 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division and the Department of Education Region X.
ALS instructors patiently held instructional sessions inside the camp, spending even their nights to hold classes to these eager students.
To ensure that the students are qualified to receive their diplomas, they took the Assessment and Evaluation (A&E) exam where the instructors guided them and prepared them well.
Marila, taken aback 20 years of her childhood, was not able to enter school and study like any ordinary child.
She was exposed, at a young age, to the atrocities brought by the Communist terror groups.
The consistent visit of the rebel group in their home and ill-willed propagandas they brought put rage on her heart against the government which lured her to join the [rebel] group.
Until she saw the corruption inside the organization. She realized that she was fighting for nothing.
“Kung tinuod pa nga gaserbisyo ko para sa tawo, nganong mudawat ku sa ila ug pagkaon bisag sila pa mismo, halos wala na’y makaon” (If I am indeed serving the people, why do I need to ask for food from them even if I see them almost starving themselves), she said.
When she was asked of her dreams, she said, “gusto pud nako nga makab-ot ang akong pangandoy nga maka-eskwela bisag mejo ulahi na.
Sila [NPA] ang nagdala ug kagubot sa among lugar. Tungod sa ila, wala ku naka-eskwela. Wala jud ku kabalo magsulat, o magbasa. Pero karon, nakita na nako ang tinuod nga kahayag. Gidawat ku sa gobyerno. Gitabangan ku nila” (I want to reach my dreams to attain education even if it is somewhat late now. They [NPA] brought chaos in our town. Because of them, I wasn’t able to go to school. I didn’t know how to write nor read. But now I have seen light. The government took me in. They helped me.].
She said she wanted the people to see that no matter what odds come in life, it is never too late to reach it. She further encourages her former comrades in the mountains to surrender and live a life with their families and loved ones. (1LT CABBIGAT)
