“You should not just win by might.
You should also win them by heart.”
— Lt. Col. Jo-ar A. Herrera
MESSAGE OF GRATITUDE
A Meaningful Piece of Writing
Dear reader,
The journey to writing this book began when I had a genuine encounter with the power of transcendence through the people entrusted to me by our Creator. This craft occurred as a result of a succession of profound realizations about the reasons for my life and an abundance of self-compassion. When I use the term “transcendence,” I mean having a spirit-to-spirit connection with the Transcendent, or God of the universe. While self-compassion means that we humans should first be aware of who we are, including the underlying purpose of our strengths and weaknesses. This serenity begins with being at peace with ourselves first toward authentic happiness.
To be more precise, I would introduce you to the essence of self-transcendence, which I define as an existence beyond human experience due to the balanced nurturing of the body, soul, and spirit. I was inspired to resurrect this argument after mending my own wounds and preparing to share healing with other broken souls.
As a result of being liberated from the shackles of indifference, I can free up my time and seize the opportunity for continuous learning and growth with the men and women soldiers of the 53rd Infantry “MATAPAT” Battalion, specifically 1Lt. George Yu Jr., 2Lt. Rhoma Custodio, Cpt. Cornelio Cortejo Jr., Cpt. Maverick Mira, and Cpt. Jerick Papa, Jomar, Joseph, Anthonette, Joessabeth, Janine, Rozen, Marchsteven, Junryl, Jay-ar, Giovanni, Chrizel, Dave, Juvelyn, Lhorievy, Arnel, Echel, Joven, as well as the Youth Leaders Summit Alumni and volunteers, namely Jade, Stephanie, Nelvin, Mei, Pastor Ronald and Merceres Pacquing. This battalion is led by an innate empath and servant-leader, Lt. Col. Jo-ar Herrera, who serves as the direction for this craft from its inception to completion. He never failed to generously value acknowledgment, constructive criticism, and discipline only for the sake of publishing this story of resilience and redemption. As a result, I have gained a great deal of insight into being more focused, committed, and optimistic between wieldy scribbling and tightening the manuscript during the throes of the final drafting of this book. He is truly an outlier coach, an extraordinaire genius!
Alongside him is an inborn artist, prolific writer, and a creative digital expert, my virtuoso editor and mentor, Marlon Magtira. With his equally talented and insightful children, Juan Paolo, Mari Paulyn, and Mark Lenard, who comprise the excellent team of Teramag Publishing, I am eternally thankful for their unflinching patience and effort in making this book more meaningful and a source of healing. On a side note, Marlon stated that this book is a conduit for healing the long-standing scars he kept hidden inside his heart.
To my spiritual sisters, sweethearts, and associates, namely Bethe, Ceja, Crislyn, Aileen, Grace, Paige, Hazel, Jane, Chrislyn, Evelyn, Maristella, Alice, Nica, Chin, Sitemarian, Zenaida, Lisanie, Jan Reynee, Ona, Riza, Gio, Juvy, Owie, Imari, and Erigen, your love and unwavering support are evident as I navigate the challenges of community service and our intentions to honor God by sharing the Gospel and goodness to humanity without judgment.
Moises, Bernadeth, Algen, and Rafael, your presence and speeches from the time I was a youngster until the time I became an adult will never be forgotten or wasted. Without you, I could not have written this book. You are the pillars upon which my existence, endurance, and fulfilled becoming are built.
My special gratitude to Mayor Junaflor Cerilles, Fruby Dayondon, Faye Reyes, Dan Buca, and Saka sa Kaugmaon nga Hamugaway non-government organization, the sweetest instrument for my first engagement with the Friends Rescued.
I want to express my sincere appreciation for their willingness to share their narratives as the actors in this book, the friends rescued. Their common vulnerabilities do not invalidate their humanity. These are opportunities for them and the readers to increase awareness, gain inspiration, and grow.
Thank you to the government authorities and political leaders who entrusted me with their felt experiences: Brig. Gen. Leonel Nicolas, RD Paisal Abutazil, Gov. Victor Yu, Rep. Divina Grace Yu, Mayor Domingo Mirrar, RD Rad Donn Cedeño, RD Dann Navarro, Ms. Miraflor Casanes, Atty. Roy Buenafe, RD Manuel Luis Ochotorena, Lt. Col. Filven Noche, Atty. Jose Ruel Saniel, Col. Marlowe Patria, Mayor Vicente Cajeta, Mayor Angelito Martinez II, RD Bonifacio Pulgo, and Maj. Gen. Gene Ponio. I am indebted to you for your wisdom.
To the source of my professional growth and experience, I am forever grateful for holding me high, the nurturing institution of my flourishing career in instruction, research, and community service, the JH Cerilles State College, headed by President Dr. Mary Jocelyn Battung, Dr. Lina Codilla, Dr. Jerry Superales, Dr. Patricia Bahian, Dr. Mark Patalinghug, Prof. Rodrigo Millares, Prof. Ricky Egos, Prof. Myrna Ceño, Prof. Darlene Nayo, Prof. Marjo Malabanan, and Pagadian Campus Administrator Atty. Domingo Redelosa IV. This book shall truly benefit our school and our students.
To the epitome of well-being before academic excellence, Silliman University, the vessel of my healing and transformation, I am honored to be one of the products embodying world-class education and excellence. My deep admiration goes to President Betty Cernol-McCann, Dr. Margaret Alvarez, Dr. Ron Ressurrecion, Dr. Al Fuertes, and my dissertation adviser, Dr. Nelly Limbadan, for teaching me to aspire beyond mediocrity. Truly, I have achieved this craft with all the grit and courage to overcome academic challenges amid internal struggles.
I am deeply honored by the trust and commendation of Lt. Gen. Rolly Bautista, who inspired my passion for genuine public service. His insights into this meaningful piece of writing uplift its essence and significance. I emulate his invaluable leadership achievements and integrity in government service, a glorious path I intend to thread in my professional career.
From the individual broken friends rescued to the collective whole nation sphere, President Rodrigo Duterte’s legacy in redeeming peace and service to the Republic of the Philippines prides a character of authenticity toward healing for resilient Filipinos who endured the overwhelming internal afflictions brought about by terrorism. To the Commander-in-Chief and all of the Philippine Army, I honor and dedicate this book.
To my daughter, Ma. Louise, I am humbled by your daily inspiration for me to be a strong, independent woman and a mother. Even under the strains of extended travel and intellectual engagement to finish this book, you managed to be understanding of my limitations.
And above all, to the Triune God — the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, whose never-ending grace and mercy are in abundance for us. Even if I am not worthy, God still allowed me to experience a good life and made me feel that I deserve to be bestowed with skills and expertise. I never imagined I would have acquired these many wonderful blessings, all for His glory and magnifying His name.
“Commit to the Lord
whatever you do.”
— Proverbs 16:3
“Give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is God’s will
for you in Christ Jesus.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Sincerely,
MOIBE FERRER OLITRES, Ph.D.
Foreword | A Basis for Soft Power Approach
“The compelling revelations in Dr. Olitres’ case studies, which unveil the mind, emotion, and behavior of terrorists, provide a basis for formulating future policies and doctrines regarding intervention programs for Friends Rescued as a soft power approach of the Army.”
— Lt. Gen. Rolando Joselito D. Bautista (Ret.)
For 53 long years, the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army – National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) continues to claim countless lives by committing violence and atrocities targeting innocent civilians. Without remorse, they have destroyed the future of our youth – the youth that ought to be the hope of our nation – by their treacherous and illegal recruitment, lies, propaganda, and deception. Above all these, the CPP-NPA-NDF terrorists have shackled economic development by hampering progress and development through the destruction of heavy equipment intended to deliver basic services to the farthest reaches of the government.
To address the problem of insurgency and terrorism, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s administration issued Executive Order Number 70 (EO 70), which calls for the convergence of national government agencies and non-government organizations through the institutionalization of the Whole of Nation Approach to achieve an inclusive and sustainable peace, paving the path for further socio-economic progress.
The Philippine Army’s 53rd Infantry “MATAPAT” Battalion’s policy, strategy, and programs, particularly on deradicalization and preventing and countering violent extremism, are based on the EO 70 concept. The battalion used a soft power method to assault the enemy’s cognitive, emotional, and psychological components, including constant community engagements, information operations, and communication strategy.
After President Duterte signed the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 into law, which essentially designated the CPP-NPA-NDF as a terrorist organization in the Philippines, the influx of surrendering members of communist terrorist groups (CTG) became inevitable. It is in this notion that the 53IB and subject matter expert partners conceptualized Project Good Life, an inclusive well-being psychoeducation program initiated by the battalion in partnership with various organizations and national government agencies that aims to translate the result of initial strength-based research inquiry among the former communist terrorists who surrendered to the 53IB, also called friends rescued, into a community extension service. It is a need-based program for the friends rescued to support President Duterte’s EO 70 to end local communist armed conflict in the country.
Through Project Good Life, the 53IB provided education and livelihood opportunities for the friends rescued with the help of various agencies and organizations. The 53IB also facilitated the friends rescued’s enrolment in the Alternative Learning System of the Department of Education. Government entities and business organizations provided start-up capital for the friends rescued’s livelihood projects. At the same time, they all participated in skills training and alternative farming methods to prepare them for their life back in society. The influx of surrenderers significantly contributed to the dismantling of CTGs, prompting the declaration of Zamboanga del Sur as an “insurgency-free and development-ready” province.
I commend Dr. Moibe F. Olitres for a job well done in enlightening us in this book entitled “Beyond the Surface | Story of Resilience and Redemption: Psychology of Terrorist A Basis for Soft Power Approach for Friends Rescued,” truly an eye-opener for the readers on why the friends rescued joined the CPP-NPA-NDF in the first place. This literature tackles the psychology of terrorist, and how various factors and vulnerabilities such as dysfunctional families, societal ills, geographical challenges, personal struggles, and push and pull factors played a vital role in convincing the friends rescued to take up arms, as well as how the CPP-NPA-NDF utilized these factors to aggravate the friends rescued hatred toward the government. The compelling revelations of friends rescued in Dr. Olitres’ in-depth understanding, which unveil the mind, emotion, and behavior of terrorists, provide a basis for formulating future policies and doctrines regarding intervention programs for former communist terrorists as a soft power approach of the Army.
I also commend the 53IB, led by its commanding officer Lt. Col. Jo-ar A. Herrera, for fulfilling its mandate and serving the people and securing Zamboanga del Sur through their expert implementation of combined soft and hard power approaches toward a peaceful and prosperous province.
LT. GEN. ROLANDO JOSELITO D. BAUTISTA (RET.)
Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security for Region IX
Secretary, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Republic of the Philippines
