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ISSN No. 2454-6186 | DOI: 10.47772/IJRISS | Volume IX Issue XVI November 2025 | Special Issue on Sociology
Examining Rebel Returnees’ Life Transition: Deviance to
Reintegration
Frederick U. Ybañez, MA
1
, Josefina M. Tabudlong, Ph. D
2
1
Department of General Education, Bukidnon State University – Baungon Satellite Campus
2
College of Sociology, Mindanao State University- Iligan Institute of Technology
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2024.916SCO0029
Received: 26 November 2025; Accepted: 02 December 2025; Published: 22 December 2025
ABSTRACT
This study aimed to investigate the life transition process of twenty rebel returnees as they abandoned
insurgency to reintegrate themselves in society through government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local
Integration Program (E-CLIP). Process refers to a way of examining the situations of rebel returnees as they
involved in insurgency but sought abandonment to regain new life direction relying on their strengths,
resources and relationships. A qualitative study utilizing life course approach as lens, it examined data
obtained through in-depth interview. While it discusses conditions drawing individuals toward communist
insurgency, it limits its scope on former rebels’ reasons of returning to mainstream society. Before conducting
data collection, researchers sought approval from the university’s Research Integrity and Compliance Office
for ethical requirements. Findings reveal the life situation of rebel returnees prior to recruitment, compelling
factors to engage in insurgency and turning points to abandon the movement. In their youth, these individuals
were initiated into insurgent organization through acquaintances, friends and even relatives. Venues were the
community, school and neighborhood. Some were students while others out-of-school youth. Poverty and land
problems were common experience. The promise of economic solutions and delivery of justice attracted them
to join rebel forces. For certain period while constantly experiencing adversities in fighting government troops,
their life was at stake. Realizing greater risks ahead, the informants came to life’s turning point and made
decisions to abandon their perilous engagement. Through the assistance of government’s Enhanced
Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) E-CLIP, their re-integration into the mainstream social
life was facilitated.
Keywords: rebel returnees, life course, deviance, mainstream society, reintegration
INTRODUCTION
The insurgency movement in the Philippines has gone more than five decades involving groups in conflict
with the government authority. The communist insurgency is recognized as the longest running in the world
and presently continuing [1]. Literature defines insurgency as struggle between a non-ruling group and the
ruling authorities where the former employs political resources and instruments of violence to establish
legitimacy for aspects of the political system it considers illegitimate [2], a social conflict having politico-
economic dimensions and web of interlocking factors making it complex [3], violence aimed at establishing
bases that are secure from control of the central government and which would enable establishment of what
amounts to a counter-government [4]. Insurgents can also be considered “non-state armed groups that use force
to achieve their political or quasi-political objectives and are opposed to or autonomous from the state” [5].
Insurgency has challenged Philippine society since many years, but it toned down in 1950s, regaining
momentum in 1960s upon revival of the communist organization, the renamed Communist Party of the
Philippines (CPP) with its New People’s Army (NPA) and National Democratic Front (NDF). It waged armed
rebellion against government’s military forces. The communist movement set camps nationwide, conducted
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clandestine recruitment particularly in rural communities where poverty remains high. However, this
movement’s influence and impact on government’s destabilization declined, its presence is feeble [6].
In Mindanao, communist insurgency persists, but its activities are scant. Clashes between military and
communist insurgents occur mostly in remote, mountainous, agricultural areas in the northern part of
Mindanao [7]. Insurgents’ presence remains in agrarian areas known for land conflicts, taking these issues of
discussion in peasant recruitment.
The national government has been cognizant of the root causes of insurgency tied with long-standing economic
issues. Past administrations have implemented programs to address insurgency. The Task Force Balik-Loob
(TFBL) in 2018 provided former rebels with pathway to return to civilian life. Mandated through
Administrative Order No. 10 on April 3, 2018, this body supervised reintegration of the members of CPP-
NPA-NDF and their immediate families [8]. It employed integrated approach for rebels to rejoin society and
enjoy the benefits through livelihood assistance, education, legal aid, and other essential services [9]. This Task
Force Balik Loob (TFBL) encouraged rebel returnees through Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration
Program (E-CLIP) incentive package of financial support, housing, and educational opportunities. The
National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) was established in December,
2018 through Executive Order 70 providing long-term integrated program as Whole-of-Nation Approach. It
promotes development in grassroot level through Barangay Development Program (BDP), a flagship program
of NTF-ELCAC. The E-CLIP is one of the twelve clusters in the NTF-ELCAC and renamed Enhanced
Comprehensive Local Integration and Amnesty Program. In the Implementing Rules and Regulation (IRR) of
Administrative Order No. 10, E-CLIP is designed for former rebels who surrendered since April 3, 2018 that
include members of the Communist Party of the Philippines, New People’ Army and National Democratic
Front, “Militia ng Bayan”. Included in their beneficiaries are their spouses, children and parents as well.
Support covers immediate cash assistance, legal assistance, government services, housing, employment, loans
and market access, children study grants, and PAMANA livelihood projects (DSWD, 2024).
Former rebels often come from marginalized or conflict-affected communities [10], hence providing targeted
interventions is essential to prevent recidivism and facilitate smooth life transition. The programs also
emphasize psycho-social support, skills development, and community reintegration efforts. The Duterte
administration enabled many rebels to return to the fold of law and live mainstream life. Under the current
Marcos administration, NTF-ELCAC continues its programs facilitating former rebels’ social reintegration
through 10-day deradicalization method comprising psycho-social activities. Under the E-CLIP, they receive
cash assistance for their livelihood and immediate needs [11].
The national government’s efforts align with United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
particularly SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions and SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals. NTF-
ELCAC’s campaign promotes peace and sustainable development. This is pursued through partnership of
government agencies, private institutions, barangay and community organizations.
This study describes the process of life transition of former rebels with assistance of the government. Life
transition process refers to a way of examining the situations of rebel returnees who seek reintegration in
normal social life. Scholars have studied insurgency as phenomenon. Rebel returnees’ transition to mainstream
society still needs to be explored utilizing sociological approach. This research attempts to examine local
context of Northern Mindanao and generate data useful to government and concerned institutions.
This study takes its framework from Life Course Theory elaborated by American sociologist [9]. Life Course
Theory advances five principles covering first, the life-span development of individuals as agents in which
transitions can happen during their life’s course. Secondly, the human agency of individuals is essential as they
construct their own lives through their choices and actions within the constraints of historical and social
circumstances. Third is time and place indicating individuals’ historical period of life and certain geographical
conditions where they live. Fourth is the timing of lives emphasizing that meaning and impact of life transition
is contingent on when it occurs. Historical time refers to societal or large-scale changes or events and how
these affect individuals. These changes can be political, economic, or technological in nature [12] that may
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determine a sequence of societal events affecting peoples’ transition enacted over historical periods. These can
pose as situational factors pertaining to external events, reasons for transition, and external resources made
available to persons involved. The fifth principle is described by [9] as linked lives through social
relationships. Maintaining ties with other people is important since individuals who are determined and receive
social support may be able to glide through transition and experience benefits.
In this study, the life course of rebel returnees follows a non-normative path considering that they deviated
from socially acceptable legal and ethical standards. By joining rebel groups, they have made a choice to
engage in deviance. The sociological theory of deviance provides lens in analyzing their experiences. Deviance
refers to human actions that violate societal norms. Such behaviors contradict general rules of a dominant
society [13]. Rebellion in the Philippines is characterized by groups that seek to overthrow the government in
complete violation of the constitution. The CPP/NPA/NDF armed resistance is a lingering case of social
deviance representing complex predicament affecting social institutions. The Differential Association Theory
of Edwin H. Sutherland [14] informs that this crisis-laden situation indicates a normative conflict because of
society’s long term competitions encouraging coercion instead of harmony, conflict rather than consensus. As
society is segmented into groups having conflict on the appropriateness of the law, the growing tensions
between those following and not following the law could prompt delinquent actions and criminality. This
normative conflict can translate into individual criminal acts in a social and psychological process of
differential association. Through intimate communication with groups involved in rebellion, individuals can
learn the acts of committing crime from a range of simple, complicated and specialized skills or techniques.
Communication process also allows definitions favorable or unfavorable to crimes including motives,
verbalization and rationalization that make crimes justified or unjustified. In the informants’ case when
recruited by rebel organizers, they were confronted with varying meanings of armed revolution, frequency of
presentation, duration, priority and intensity. Their decisions depended on whether the options were important,
presented oftentimes, within a length of time, as priority in initial stage and presented by persons whom they
have intensive relationships with as friends, neighbors, relatives and parents. This process of differential
association occurs in a structured social organization, which on the part of the informants were embedded in
their families, neighborhood, schools, markets and communities.
As rebels realized the very difficult, life-threatening circumstances in their encounters against the government,
their fading motivation, disillusionment and urgent need for life support compelled them to abandon the
movement and return to mainstream society. Life transitions are complex and multidimensional. Individuals
experience transitions differently depending on situational factors and personal characteristics. Personal factors
constitute the agentic experience of the transition – whether the agents will hold on to the transition and
advance for good or give up and return to the old state. Such factors serve as coping skills signifying behaviors
and strategies to manage and adapt to the transitions. Individuals’ problem-solving skills, help seeking
behavior, and emotional regulations will impact their experience with life transitions. These factors cover
resilience, self-esteem, determination, and social support. Positive perception of the impact of transitions on
their identity, values, beliefs, and status can keep them stable in their new life direction.
METHODOLOGY
This study utilized qualitative approach aligned with constructionism using interpretative and naturalistic
methods [15]. It also considered informants’ personal accounts thus, taking the emic point of view focusing
attention on dynamic context of informants’ experiences being recruited into insurgency, engaging in combat
and making transitions toward mainstream society. Purposive sampling was used to select informants who
experienced the investigated phenomenon [16]. Selection criteria included rebel returnees’ location, which
must be within Misamis Oriental; those who abandoned insurgency, availed of and remained under the
government’s program E-CLIP; and spent not less than three years in the rebel movement. The last criterion
was necessary for life transition may take its course over a period. The study excludes discussion on
effectiveness of government’s programs in helping rebel returnees’ life transition. Participants involved 20
rebel returnees, only one was female. Their names were registered in the government’s E-CLIP list obtained
from the AFP’s Camp Evangelista, Barangay Patag, Cagayan de Oro City.
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Data were collected through semi-structured individual face-to-face in-depth interview. This was most
appropriate based on these considerations: (1) sensitivity of topic (2) difficulty to gather multiple participants
(3) importance of building rapport with limited participants to ensure comfortable conversation, unbothered
presentation of participants’ views and credibility of data and (4) flexibility of interview format [17],[18],
allowing interviewer’s adaptability of questions to participants’ perspectives.
Before data collection, researchers sought ethics approval from MSU-IIT’s Research Integrity and Compliance
Office (RICO). A letter request to conduct data collection was formally submitted to the designated office at
AFP’s Camp Evangelista, Patag, Cagayan de Oro. The personnel in-charge of matters on rebel returnees
facilitated the granting of approval. Letter to individual rebel returnees with consent form was given
personally. Their preferred schedule and place for interview were considered. Conduct of individual face-to-
face in-depth interview using vernacular was done properly with interviewees’ permission for audio recording,
treating each interviewee fairly and impartially, and protecting confidentiality of interviewee’s personal
identity. Recorded interview transcript was coded and analyzed. Core ideas were extracted to compose themes
as basis for interpretation based on Life Course Theory.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Life Course of Rebel Returnees
Utilizing the Life Course Theory [9] as framework, informants’ responses were categorized and situated based
on five principles.
Informants’ Life-span Development: Adolescence Experiences:
The first principle of Life Course Theory deals with life-span development of individuals in which transitions
happen during life’s course. Adolescence is a stage within this life-span development marked with profound
changes in physical, biological, cognitive, psychosocial and emotional characteristics [19]. Recalling their
adolescence during interview, the 20 informants mentioned views about their youth experiences before they
joined rebel movement. They lived and grew in agricultural environments. Mostly, they believed that ‘they
enjoyed a lot of freedom’. They had independence as they freely moved around their community, being
carefree and at peace, enjoying tranquility and pleasant life, with unhindered relaxation. Four individuals
emphasized that life was ‘kind of wonderful while they were once students.’ One claimed to be relaxed and
unfettered in being a farmer and student. The others described themselves as just poor farmers, free and
unhindered, just like the regular and ordinary person living a simple life who can eat three times daily. Yet,
this youthful life was also perceived as messy and difficult. It was challenging for them to know local issues
such as thievery in their surroundings. In the Life Course Approach, the informants’ adolescent experiences
basically shape their dispositions, interests and choices in adulthood. Their socio-economic conditions and
biological-physiological health they grew up with can have impact on the opportunities they choose to pursue
later in life (Carr, 2019).
Informants’ Choices and Actions within the Constraints of Historical and Social Circumstances: Compelling
Reasons to Join the Rebel Movement:
Taking the second principle in the Life Course Theory, informants in their human agency construct their own
lives through choices and actions within the constraints of historical and social circumstances. Since
individuals’ life course is embedded in the historical times and places they inhabit, their motivations can be
influenced by their circumstances. In their context, whoever are the persons related with them can also be a
source of influences (Carr, 2018). Their responses to the interview represent the way they became connected
with those persons within their immediate surroundings and developed social ties with those identified as rebel
forces. While interviewed, they explained how they became connected to individuals in the rebel movement.
Their recruitment was initial stage that elicited personal reactions of curiosity, awareness, self-motivation, and
socio-political circumstances. They recalled their thoughts when they were recruited. These are presented in
Table 1 summary.
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Table I Compelling Reasons and Motivation Upon Recruitment
Verbalized Reasons
Motivation
Implication
observing the movement, be it or not
Showing curiosity
Uncertain but trying to observe
I joined the NPA to stop the thieves in our
area.
eliminate delinquency
Dismayed of thieves’ presence in
the surroundings
because of the poor approach of the
government to the common man
Protest government’s
inadequacy
Disappointment of government’s
service
self-willed to get involved
Willingness to get involved
Readiness in engagement
Unintentional
No intention
Lack awareness
assured that NPA will help the poor
Poverty alleviation
Belief in a promise
They convinced me that the rich and the
poor should be equal.
Convinced about social
equality
Aspiring for social equality
convinced when recruited
attracted to join
Belief in the goals
I was forced to join the NPA.
Feeling pushed to join
No choice to refuse
recruited from the community
Social connections
Presence of rebel forces in the
community
recruited in the school
influence as a student
Exposure to student activism
want because there are arms provided
Interest to take up arms
Opportunity to use weapons
because of the commitment to help
everyone
desire to help others
Concern for others
because of the commitment to help us but
everything seems to be a trick
Desire to help but doubtful
Felt betrayed
brought by cousins and friends
Influenced by peers and
relatives
Friendly insinuation
deceived by commitment
Committed to the movement
Regret over commitment
want to support the need
Desire to help others
Concern for others
because of the difficulty
Moved by the difficult
situation
Empathy for those in difficulty
My parents did not have the ability for me
to go to secondary level school.
Cope with frustration of
being out-of-school
Inability to seek better options
My parents arranged my being recruited.
Parental influence
Obedience to parents
Their responses in the interview suggest choices ranging from voluntary, convinced, to unintentional.
Voluntary membership was expressed by those curious about rebel groups. This curiosity prompted them to
uncover their difficult situations through people they knew as friends, relatives and even parents. Other
informants were motivated due to economic deprivation. Some were moved by their grievances against local
criminality and to protect the community from thieves. Others were disappointed of the government. There
were those expressing own willingness thus, convinced especially by the opportunity to use weapons. It was
perceived as solution to address their grievances.
Others were unintentional expressing they were caught up in their circumstances such as being recruited in
school, or neighborhood. Unable to get out of this situation, they unintentionally became rebels influenced by
other people and their own relatives.
Time and Place Indicating Informants’ Historical Period of Life and Geographical Conditions
The third principle of Life Course Theory emphasizes the informants’ time and place indicating the historical
period of life and certain geographical conditions of the locality that contribute to shape their choices. In their
youth, the informants lived in agricultural communities characterized by poverty with presence of insurgents in
the surroundings. Such geographical conditions predisposed them to rebels’ underground activities. This was a
time of interaction that gradually motivated them to learn the rebel cause. These local circumstances indicate
the disruptive social situation in many Philippine provinces at larger scale brought about by the longest
CPP/NPA/NDF insurgency [20]-[23], [5], [3], .
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Persuaded by rebel organizers, the informants developed expectations related to their self-perceptions, own
socio-economic conditions and community problems. The agenda were promising to them as economic
benefit, family future, support for children’s schooling, and social equity among many, drawing them to the
rebel cause. These are clustered in Table 2.
Table II Promise and Expectation Cluster
Promise Clusters
Concerns and
Aspirations in Life
Personal/Voluntary
Choice
Personally convinced
Ample Promises
Unspecified
Economic Benefit
Solution to land
problem
Future of the Family
Livelihood and family
welfare
Support for
Children’s Schooling
Children’s education
Social Equality
equity
Service to People
Tribe’s survival
Service delivery
Freedom and
Emancipation
Freedom
Conflict resolution
Women emancipation
Solution to national
problems
Power and Strength
Equality in the law
Empowering the poor
Their expectations are shaped by their concerns for economic progress, family welfare, children’s education
and long-term attainment of freedom and emancipation. They had ambitions of getting employment however,
such became elusive as their life direction had been deviated towards participation in the CPP/NPA armed
resistance movement. Dwelling in locations with rebels in the vicinity, their casual acquaintances eventually
led them to illegal activities. The informants’ decision was influenced by their economic deprivation
intersecting with promises by rebel organizers. Carr (2018) referred this situation to the role of history and
geography as factors which affect the individuals’ interpersonal relations and life trajectories.
Deviance is elaborated in Sutherland’s Differential Association Theory [14] stating that normative conflict
within society can translate into individual criminal acts in a social and psychological process of differential
association. In the informants’ case, being in association with rebel groups and having communication on rebel
agenda facilitated their own process of imbibing insurgent acts ranging from simple, complicated to
specialized skills and techniques. In the informants’ particular period and place, they made personal definition,
verbalization and rationalization of the acts of rebellion whether making them justified or unjustified as the
given alternative to solve their miserable condition. The manner of importance, frequency of presentation,
duration, priority and intensity of the informants’ association with rebel groups determine the depth of their
engagement. Such differential association takes place within the informants’ given social structure, in their
communities characterized by divisiveness and conflict.
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The study of Nagai [24] in selected countries stated similar situation of youth associated with non-state armed
groups (YANSAG) being exposed to environmental vulnerabilities making their pathways into violent
extremist involvement. Persuasion was the most common tactic done by rebel organizers to entice recruits with
rewards, access to weapons, altruistic and nationalistic narratives. Forced recruitment was also done by close
friends, relatives and even parents. Deception was found out later as the promised rewards were never realized.
Among the factors influencing the youth to join the non-state armed groups (NSAG) were insecurity,
economic necessity, and desire to leave a dysfunctional family and community conditions.
Timing of Lives
This period of informants’ life also represents the fourth principle of Life Course Theory, referring to the
timing of lives. (Carr, 2018). The informants were young when recruited into the rebel organization. The time
they spent as as youth growing in the peasant communities were moments living in poverty, lack of access to
basic social services and transportation difficulties. Those periods of contact with rebel organizers left them
grappling with insurgency, when their decisions initially gave meaning to a commitment which eventually
made them participants in the country’s longest armed resistance movement disrupting the very foundations of
society.
In relation to the national situation, such timing also covers the more than five decades historical period when
insurgency in the country persisted until at present, though dipping toward the end of 2022 [7]. Noted in the
study of Francisco [25], those young people who joined rebel movements were driven by combined grievances
including poverty, lack of access to education and perceived injustice in the community. Case studies
conducted in NPA affected regions in Mindanao explained that poverty has a critical role in recruitment of
young people to the rebel movement considering that NPAs target the poor with a message of economic
liberation and promise of financial support without much conviction for radicalization and adherence to
extremist ideology [26]. Timing also represents the informants’ number of years in rebellion. The length of
time varied as revealed: one spent more than 20 years, another one had 12 to 16 years, four of them were rebels
for 7 to 11 years, a majority of thirteen spent 2 to 6 years, while only one was a rebel for at least 1 year. When
asked on what was life during the years with the NPA organization, their verbalized descriptions are reflected
in Table 3.
Table III Descriptions of Life in the Rebel Movement
Verbalized Description
Thoughts/Feelings Evoked
Implication
The goal is good but dangerous.
Uncertainty
Positive outlook yet found the
movement dangerous
It's not easy because day and night wherever
we go, keep an eye on the area.
regularly disturbed
Keeping on watch anytime,
everyday
It's not easy, because day and night, we go
anywhere” …“difficulty, anxiety, limited
movement.
anxiety, restlessness
Alertness and calculated move
Fear, nervousness, I know that the fate is
death.
fear of dying
awareness of grave danger
fear, always hiding
fear of being caught
deeply bothered
loneliness, difficulty, no proper sleep, always
ready for the elusive life
lonely, sleepless, hurried
Preparing for any risk
danger, bitterness, hunger within the
revolution
Bitterness, hungry,
emptiness
state of helplessness
difficult, dangerous, missing family
fear, miss loved ones
desire to reconnect with family
hard, and without proper sleep
Disturbed
stressed
There is no peace of mind.
Anxious
In a state of restlessness
sad, difficult, and hungry
Burdened
weary life
hardship, hunger, fatigue, family loneliness
helpless and lonely
losing support
difficulty, tiredness of the situation
losing hope, desperate
life uncertainty
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hiding, and living conditions are becoming
difficult
Insecure
life uncertainty
Difficult
Insecure
weary life
fatigue, difficulty, hunger, and fear
Burdened
weary life
spend more time to the organization than
family
miss loved ones
Desire to reconnect with
family
Personal needs are not taken care of, because
of the bitter situation, busy with the revolution.
deprived, neglected
Lacking support for personal
needs
The informants gave varied versions of their experiences. They described harrowing life situation of being
haunted as fugitives. At the start, one had held on to a positive outlook although a great danger was perceived.
Most of them stated narratives expressing difficulty of living, fear, fatigue, hunger, loneliness of being away
from their families, sleeplessness, restlessness, bitterness, insecurity of movement and anxieties of being
arrested or killed. Complicating this situation was their disconnection from their families as source of life
support. Hence, their personal needs were neglected. Throughout their years of involvement, they were caught
up in helpless condition where they faced risk of dying, in extreme pursuit of safety, but had to survive.
Studies on rebel returnees in the Philippines mention similar hardships [20]-[23].
The informants realized the stark differences of life situation before joining the NPA and being active regular
NPA. Before joining the NPA despite difficult economic life, they enjoyed greater freedom in their
movements, peace of mind, clarity, tranquility, a pleasant life, unhindered rest, and having three meals a day.
The years spent as NPA were totally in contrast because life was dangerous. They were in constant fear and
moving around was difficult. There was no permanent place to stay. Oftentimes, they lacked proper sleep and
were tormented with homesickness. Their days were filled with hardship, fatigue, and hunger.
Direct armed encounter against government soldiers was inevitably tough consequence of their choice and it
had been a dreadful experience. Although not all of them engaged in combat depending on their assigned tasks.
Nine of them had gone through fierce battle against the government military forces. They recalled their combat
experience as difficult and life-threatening. Their statements show details in Table 4.
Table IV Combat Participation
Frequency of Engagement
Number of Informants
I cannot count how many times.
1
Three times
2
Four times
1
Yes, six times.
1
I have participated twice.
1
Yes, but just swift.
1
Yes, once.
2
Their harrowing experiences are commonly described as difficult in varying degrees, conditions and coping
acts as summarized in Table 5.
Table V Combat Participation
Emotions of Difficulty
Conditions of Difficulty
Coping Acts
Fear, hunger
Always on the run and hide
Hide in the area
Anxiety
To fight the military
Continued with training to use arms
Beyond description
To face death
Planned to surrender
Fear
Seeing wounded comrades carried
fellow comrades
Safety to myself first to avoid being hit
Informants’ timing of lives included moments after life-threatening episodes when they felt their revolutionary
motivation was fading, disillusionment of the rebel cause caught themselves, and abandonment became an
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option.
Linked Lives Through Social Relationships: Reconnecting with Families:
All informants had afterthoughts of life as rebel and considered returning to normalcy. Analyzing this stage
based on Life Course Theory, this refers to seeking reconnection with others, the fifth principle described as
linked lives through social relationships (Carr, 2018). This comes as disillusionment after experiences of life
threats, hunger, and dissatisfaction of NPA ideology. Seeking to live in the mainstream society, the informants
found it urgent to regain ties with family, neighborhood, government and institutions.
According to Tangging and Yeo [27], combatants would surrender based on pocketbook maximization
hypothesis explaining that they are rational actors who would evaluate costs and benefits of staying or leaving.
The informants’ option favored abandonment of combat life. Nine informants recalled their decisions without
further narratives. The others explained briefly their situational evaluation summarized in Table 6.
Table VI Informants’ Situational Evaluation
Family-Oriented
Life Safety Matters
Very Difficult Condition
Having Second
Thought
“Yes because my family
was not taken care of.”
“Yes I deeply regretted
because my family is
destroyed when I joined the
NPA.”
“Yes because I was not with
my family.”
“Yes specially upon
learning that they have
already graduated.”
“Yes because our life
is in danger.”
“deeply regretted
because there I
realized my belief
about CPP-NPA is
wrong.”
“ Yes because of
hardships and hunger.”
“I regretted many times
because of hardships
there.”
“Yes because of crisis.”
“Yes but I preferred the
NPA.”
“Yes but they also
provide, I do not
regret.”
The informants’ reasons for abandoning the rebel movement cluster on two priorities such as family and life
safety. They believe that family is the most important connection in life thus, giving attention and spending life
with their loved ones constitute a fundamental commitment. This becomes urgent especially after their
experience of life-threatening conditions. They realized that they still want to live normally and meaningfully
with their families. These are their statements presented in Table 7.
Table VII Reasons to Abandon the Rebel Movement
Reasons
Verbalized Statement
Implication
Family as Priority
“I want to be with my family.”
“It is better to be with the family.”
”because of my family’s future”
“because of my family”
“because of my family”
“My family convinced me to surrender.”
“I want to be with family even if life condition
is difficulty.”
Need to stay closely with the
family to support one another
Government
Support
“I surrendered because the government pledged
to provide us support through E-CLIP.”
“I surrendered because the government pledged
to provide support to my family.”
Regaining trust in government’s
support program
Life Threat as
Factor
“because of hunger, hardships, fatigues,
loneliness of the family”
“because of hunger, fatigue, and missing the
Heavily burdened of stressful
conditions that endanger life,
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family”
“because of hunger, fatigue, missing my
parents”
“fear, hardships and hunger”
“because of fear, hunger, and loneliness to my
family”
“because of difficulty of our situation”
“loneliness, fatigues, hunger, and I still want to
live”
Having a reason to live normal
life
Personal Choice
“self-will to surrender”
“to have peace of mind”
“I ask first if go to prison If I surrender, I finally
surrendered”
Willingness to abandon the rebel
movement to find peace
Feeling
Disillusioned
“My family convinced me to surrender and I
understand that my struggle with the NPA has
no future.”
“Because I cannot understand the ways
anymore”
Uncertainty of one’s future,
Doubts and confusion
Informants give value to their family as source of motivation, support and reason to abandon the rebel
movement. This is parallel to the findings of Cubero, Guliban, [21] that family longevity is important to rebel
returnees. Their families are source of security and resilience that strengthen their self-worth and motivate
them to find alternatives for better future.
Reintegration to Mainstream Society: Government’s Intervention:
The informants reconnected themselves with their families through government channel particularly the
barangay officials and military. It was a gradual manner of seeking help from family members to contact these
government agencies. It was their deliberate act of surrender to the Armed Forces of the Philippines in five
ways: 1) negotiation with barangay officials and military 2) contacting a soldier 3) contacting the family of a
soldier 4) appeal to Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) 5) captivity and surrender. They
found it relatively less difficult to surrender than to stay with the NPA as long as there is reliable contact with
the AFP. They availed of the government’s reintegration program through Enhanced Comprehensive Local
Integration Program (E-CLIP). They were confident because of government’s assistance received as stated:
“they fulfill their promise, specially to our children to go to school,” “through livelihood program,” “they were
able to provide assistance”, “because of the support of the government, me and my family were settled”, “I am
beyond description because I have attended schooling but I try my best with the help of the government”. They
were provided with cash assistance, housing, children’s scholarship and livelihood through government
agencies such as AFP, LGU, TESDA, DOLE and DSWD.
Reuniting with their families was a happy event that relieved them from atmosphere of fear and insecurity.
This was opportunity to change their life course with government’s guidance. Yet, there were also challenges
particularly on long-term economic sustenance as priority. Relying on government’s provision is temporary
that they felt uncertain as to how they could provide for their future. Attaining self-reliance and economic
sufficiency remains their basic goal. They considered their current situation a better position to fulfill a brighter
future, than to stay in rebellion for their entire life.
Implications
Findings of this study emphasized that individuals’ life course proceeds through a process in which they
navigate into social conditions requiring personal choices and actions. Deviant behaviors suggest inevitability
as they interact differently with groups and forces around them. In the Philippines, youth in rural communities
are beset with conditions of armed conflict shaping their choices and actions. In this study, the rebel returnees
in their context, time and place have dreadfully fought against government troops, faced life threats and thus
abandoned the movement to return to mainstream living. Rebel returnees’ effective life transition relies on
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their agentic determination, family support and government intervention to renew social connections for
longevity.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors are grateful to thank God above all for His outpouring love, guidance, and strength that made this
study possible. We are deeply grateful to our families, classmates, and friends for their constant
encouragement, understanding, and support throughout the research process. Our profound appreciation is
extended to our advisers—Dr. Sulpecia Ponce, Dr. Grace Taruc, and Mr. Winston Gallenero—whose
guidance, motivation, and belief in the value of our work greatly inspired us to bring this study to completion.
Their insights and encouragement were vital to shaping this paper.
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