Frans Welman - Face of the New Peoples Army of the Philippines, Volume Two: Samar

Face of the New Peoples Army of the Philippines, Vol Two

Nice People Around and No Permanent Address

E-book, 1st edition 2012, Volume Two - Samar, Smashwords edition

Text by Frans Welman

eISBN 978-616- 222-163-7

Published by www.booksmango.com

E-mail: info@b ooksmango .com

Text & cover page Copyright Frans Welman

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Introduction

A year or two later I asked the people of the Filippijnengroep Netherlands to set me up for another visit to the NPA. They asked me if one visit was not enough and so I explained that the exposure among the Kalinga, the Bontoc and other peoples of the Cordillera Jerry and I had made had been magnificent, but failed to give us insight in the other peoples of the Philippines, notably the lowlanders of the archipelago. The NPA had been founded on the soil of Luzon, even on the very soil of the famous Aquino family so I wanted to venture inside areas, areas controlled by the NPA. I wanted to pursue the same objective namely to show the face of the people of the New Peoples Army, to show what motivated them. What made them go to the extremes, extremes like sacrificing their lives for the cause? And, what were prospects of that cause? The Filippijnengroep cooperated with me again and set me up for a contact in Manila which paved the way like they had done for the exposure of Jerry and me before (Volume One), and work things out. So, when in Manila I went to the same office as before and although Julia was now working for another NGO I met the same director, the one who with the ironic smile. He directed me to report to a legal support organization which would provide me with the logistics of the journey. We met in Quezon City, the office located near to the house of Butz Aquino, brother of the famous but slain Ninoy Aquino, brother in law of former president Cory Aquino, successor of Dictator Ferdinand Marcos. But, also it was close to the former office of Jose Diokno, the fighter for legal rights who founded the Free Legal Assistance Group called FLAG, who stood by those who were unable to hire a good lawyer. We met at the same roadside restaurant where we had said our goodbyes before. This reunion with him was quite refreshing as it felt like I had never left, yet I knew things were rather different now, We met late afternoon and drank a few Manila beers, at that time the cheapest, and talked before he gave me a small note, one similar to the notes carried by the informers of the NPA. He smiled:

Now Frans, take a flight to Calbayog tomorrow but not later than say three days from now and report to this office. Never fear man, things will be arranged from there, he said as a matter of fact, but in a tone like he was giving directions to a nearby night spot in town, report to me again after your return, he added. We had a Philippino dinner plus another beer, reviewed our former trip again as he warned me for stumbling blocks along the way and to be sure to overcome inevitable pitfalls.

Frans, he said after explaining more about the arrangement, you may not believe it but I have wife and children too. So, I have also other duties than providing for your departure. I shall go now and trust you will be able to come back with some good things to share and pictures of course, okay?

So moments later and with a small piece of paper tucked away in the pocket this is where, once more, the beginning of a journey to the Faces. In Quezon Cubao on Edificio de los Santos Avenue, yes in short EDSA and yes where the Peoples Power Revolution ousted Ferdinand Marcos making waves around the world, there was an office of Philippine Airlines (PAL). From the restaurant near the office it was not so far to walk over there and enquire the flight possibilities to Calbayog.

Calbayog you say, tomorrow? the young lady at the counter of PAL, nicknamed Plane Always Late, asked me.

If possible yes, I answered.

We have a promo Sir, but only for the bullilit flight. Does that suit you Sir? she smiled.

What does bullilit mean, I asked.

Flights with reduced fares but at inconvenient hours, she smiled some more, may be not so convenient for you because it leaves 4.30 in the morning, she softly said, her smile not as vibrant as her first.

I think the only problem would be how to get up a few hours before that flight, I laughed, but is it much cheaper, so I could risk it?

Oh yes Sir, half price, she stressed now with a radiant smile.

I suppose traffic will not be a big problem that time of day right? So, when I catch a taxi at say three oclock I should be on time.

Most certainly Sir, although I think it depends on where you take that taxi? she asked pondering aloud.

From Makati, near Burgos, I replied.

Oh, indeed, that should not be a problem, but please make sure you are checking in 45 minutes before departure or your seat will be allocated to a person who is on stand by, she explained.

There are people willing to take the risk that early in the morning? I asked in surprise.

Oh Sir, plenty, especially for that price, she answered, her smile returning radiantly and in full force.

Then please issue me a ticket, I entrusted her.

Your passport and particulars please, she asked. Five minutes later with the ticket in hand I took a bus on Edsa towards Makati. Having arrived there close to an hour later I walked to Burgos from there. I was staying with Philippino friends I had known for a very long time. They assured me one of them had to get up very early too and so all could be arranged. They warned me for police and military (Armed Forces of the Philippines, AFP) who in the provinces like to check passengers inside out, especially those travelers whom they suspect have cash money on them.

Turn in early Frans and so you have a good sleep. Well wake you up at two-thirty!

I took the advice and since it had been an exhausting day, not the meeting with the director, but the ride into Manila and the traffic that morning and afternoon, had done me in and I realized that now that a bed had been made up for me. But before turning in we had a drink and talked a little. They asked me to be sure to return before leaving the Philippines so they would know about my experiences too.

I promise that, but if the AFP gets me I have no chance of letting you know, I joked to their amazement. Though they realized I was teasing they still stressed I should be careful at all times:

You are travelling alone and this is not done much in the Philippines. There are all sorts of characters besides the ones you already know: the AFP and the police. So, be careful and see to it that you have local guides to accompany you, okay?

I promise, I smiled, but only if we have one more Manila beer, this time I insist it is on me and me alone, agreed?

Sure, sure, the man and the lady of the house agreed, Ver (one of their sons), go and get us a crate fast, the lady ordered her son. I gave him the money and five minutes later he returned with a full crate of chilled Manila beer. We drank a bottle each before I went to sleep as they assured me we should finish the crate after my safe return.