Former rebels who used to be members of the Communist-Terrorist New People’s Army have restored their Christian faith by offering their hearts back to Jesus in baptism.

On Monday, July 18, a day before their graduation from the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), ten former rebels were baptized in a simple water baptism ceremony facilitated by a team of volunteers from the Lighthouse Church of Mati.

Immersed in a small water-filled inflatable tub, the former rebels declared their enormous faith, signifying their complete surrender to the Lord.

The former rebels, who decided to lay down their weapons a few months ago, say having themselves baptized is a testament to their sincerity in abandoning the ideals of Communism and transforming their lives for the better.

29-year-old Red (not his real name) says he is thankful for being allowed to change as he vowed not to waste this “rare opportunity.” “Salamat kay natudluan mi og puro kaayo ug kabag-ohan sa kaugalingon nga nagwagtang sa kasuko ug pagdumot. Salamat nga nabag-o ko,” Red said. (We are grateful for being taught about goodness and transformation. The hatred and grudges in our hearts are now gone, and I am truly thankful I have changed.)

Dodong, also known as Ahos, who used to work in the white areas of the Communist movement, urged his former comrades to be genuinely transformed and embrace the life of peace.  

Pastor Ruben Colmo, who heads the Lighthouse Church and facilitator of the provincial government’s Moral Recovery Program, said, “Spiritual aspect is a significant factor for these former rebels since they were brainwashed against the government and God when they joined the Communist movement. He stressed that complete restoration also involves rebuilding the spiritual aspect.

He said the former rebels are now ready to return to their families and contribute to their communities by becoming living testaments of God’s goodness and the government’s sincerity in helping them. He said they could also contribute by serving as an example to young people who are the most vulnerable to Communist recruitment. “They are changed and have been transformed and can now become tools of transformation,” said Pastor Colmo.

Last week, ten former rebels also received the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, and Confession at the San Nicholas de Tolentino Cathedral.

The former rebels thanked the Happy Home for offering them a new chance at life. “Ug wala namugna ning Happy Home, siguro wala ko naagi sa processing nga spiritual. Kay sukwahi man gyud sa ideolohiya didto sa akong nakat-unan sa una sa Komunista,” said another former rebel. (If it weren’t for the Happy Home, I would not have gone through spiritual processing. Because it’s different from the ideology we were taught in the Communist movement.)

The Happy Home, the Capitol-run halfway house and processing center for former rebels, was conceptualized and initiated by Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon in 2013 during her first few years as the Governor of the province. Since then, services and facilities have evolved and become the E-CLIP implementation model in the country.

Today, hundreds of former rebels are now living their best lives after receiving scores of benefits from the Happy Home, including financial assistance, educational services, livelihood assistance, skills training, housing, spiritual services, and moral recovery activities, among many others.

The Happy Home was established in the Governor’s belief that everybody deserves a second chance and that anybody sincere enough to change is considered a new creation and possesses the potential to impact the world. By Karen Lou Deloso | Photos by Joel Owano and Mark Oliver Alvite