Soldiers share Christmas cheer with NPA families, Mangyan folk

Soldiers distribute packed goods for “noche buena” to relatives of communist guerrillas in the hinterlands of Mansalay and Roxas towns in Oriental Mindoro province. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE PHILIPPINE ARMY SOUTHERN LUZON COMMAND

Donning Santa Claus hats with their military uniforms, soldiers shared Christmas eve with families of those believed to be active members of the New People’s Army (NPA) and those from the Mangyan tribe in Oriental Mindoro province.

Maj. Angelo Guzman, spokesperson for the Armed Forces of the Philippines Southern Luzon Command (Solcom), said soldiers from the 4th Infantry Battalion had been going around homes in the hinterlands of Mansalay and Roxas towns in Oriental Mindoro singing Christmas carols and giving away noche buena gift packages to families and relatives of NPA guerrillas since Dec. 23.

Guzman said the soldiers also gave food packages to members of the Mangyan tribe in the area.

The soldier-carolers, led by Lt. June Matugas, did the three-day caroling in an effort to go the extra mile for the Yuletide season, he said.

Quoting Matugas, Guzman said the soldiers were able to visit and sing Yuletide carols to at least 20 families who the military believed have relatives in the NPA.

The activity was to continue until Christmas Day.

“These activities aim to somehow uplift their morale and spirit this Yuletide season. We know they miss their husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters who are now in the mountains. We hope to ease their worry and add to their Christmas cheer,” said

Lt. Col. Ariel Mabagos, commander of the 4th Infantry Battalion, in a statement.

Mabagos said his unit was able to gather support from local government units, partner agencies and various stakeholders for the noche buena gifts for the beneficiaries.

He said they were received well by the families of rebels.

Citing Matugas’ report, Guzman said some of the recipients of the Christmas goodies admitted they had been longing for their kin inside the revolutionary movement.

According to Guzman, a recipient told Matugas she would convince her son to lay down his arms and abandon the armed struggle.

Maj. Gen. Ricardo Visaya, Solcom commander, said the gestures of Army soldiers in Oriental Mindoro showed the sincerity of the Yuletide ceasefire declaration of the military against communist rebels.

On Nov. 7, NPA rebels attacked the police station in Paluan town, Occidental Mindoro province, and killed one policeman and an Army soldier.

The raiders also seized several weapons, which the Communist Party of the Philippines called one of the biggest NPA tactical offensives this year in terms of the number of arms seized.