CATBALOGAN, Samar –
It was not her dream to become a revolutionary; much more of being a
woman red warrior, but the intense propaganda of the left enticed her
to join the communist movement in an early age.
Ka Liza, 16 years old
and one of the women warriors (popularly known as “amazona”) rescued
by elements of the 34th Infantry Battalion last October 4 in a
hinterland barangay of Catbalogan, in an interview Tuesday claimed she
was just 14 years old when she joined the movement.
She narrated that
sometime in 2004, a certain Tito, whom she later identified as the
commander of the “Batter” platoon unit under the Central Front-Samar 1
operating within the San Jorge-Catbalogan area, came to their house in
Brgy. Catundan, San Jorge town and invited her to attend a three-day
lecture conducted by the group.
Her parents, according
to her, expressed disapproval of her attending the lecture but
curiosity prompted her to listen to the lecture which actually lasted
for a week.
“Pinaagi hadto nga
edukasyon gintututdu-an kami parti han istorya han Pilipinas, ngan mga
especial nga kurso han mga sector han parag-uma, kababayen-an ngan
kabata-an (In that lecture, we were taught about the History of the
Philippines, as well as specialized courses on the different sectors
like the farmers, women and youth),” she informed.
The lecture, she
recalled, culminated in the teaching of the BKP or the Batakang Kurso
Pampartido which oriented them on the political aspects of the
revolutionary movement.
“Katapos hito nga
edukasyon, gin-obserbahan ako nira sulod han usa ka bulan basi ako na
liwat an magdumara hin pagpanutdo han bag-o nga mga nag-api (After
that I was given one month observation period while I did the
Educating to the new recruits),” she added.
Later, however, she
was trained to become a medical officer, a position which she holds
until her rescue last October 4.
Ka Liza said they were
in Sitio Cankahayag, Brgy. Tuturingon to mill corn when they were
spotted by elements of 34th IB’s Alpha Company who were patrolling the
area. The milled corn is supposed to be a part of the sustenance of
her unit, she said.
Lt. Col. Glorivine
Dida, Commanding Officer of the 34th IB informed that his men reported
that Ka Liza and her companions showed unusual reaction when they saw
the patrolling unit. That prompted his men to conduct body search to
the three who attempted to seek refuge in a nearby hut.
Recovered from Ka Liza
was a cal. 45 pistol with a few live ammunitions. She later admitted
that the recovered weapon was given to her by her unit just three days
before their capture.
