DAVAO DE ORO, March 16 (PIA) - - Former Secretary General Christony ‘Jong’ Monzon of the PASAKA Confederation of Lumad Organization revealed on Tuesday that Chad Booc, Jojarain Alce Nguho II, and three others are members of the New People’s Army, and died in an encounter with the military on February 24.
“Kilala ko si Chad Booc sa Manila Bakwit School, sa Lumad school, sa Lakbayan sa manila. Nagkita kami sa UP Diliman. Si Chad Booc, kasama ko siya sa tatlong encounter. Two months na siyang sumama dun sa New People’s Army. NPA kasi ang ginagawa doon papahawakin ka talaga ng baril. May mandate sa iyo na papahawakin ka ng baril.”
During the press conference in Mati City after his surrender, Monzon recalled that Booc and Nguho joined them in the armed struggle on December 23, 2021.
“Dun sila pumasok between the perimeter ng Mainit Falls ng Davao de Oro at saka ng Panoraon. Pero before sila pumasok doon ay galing pa sila ng Davao City.”
He said that they were together during Christmas and New Year, and as comrades in the white area operations of the communist movement, they talked and even criticize their group regarding their situation.
“Sabi nila ay safety, i-safety ka. Pero nung nandun na kami, mag-uusap kami (ni Chad), hindi naman ito iyong safety na sinasabi eh. Akala naming safety ay para sa security. Iba na pala.”
Petrified during encounters, Monzon disclosed that they, including Chad, asked permission from their commanders to return to their respective homes but were rejected.
“Kahit anong gawin namin. Sabihin naming na uuwi na kami. Hindi nila, iyong mga leaders kumbaga, wala kami gitugtan ba. (We were not given permission). Hindi nila kami pinayagan na bumaba kahit na sabi namin na ‘kahit anong mga kaso haharapin namin.’ Pero hindi kami pinababa.”
He also belied claims of the Save Our Schools Network that Booc and others were conducting research works in Barangay Andap, New Bataan.
“Iyong sinasabi na may research na nangyari dun sa Andap, wala sir eh. Walang research na nangyari kasi kasama ko sila.”
As a ranking official of the legal front of the communist movement, Monzon said that he was included in the meeting with Eric Jun Casilao alias Ka Elian, who now leads the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee.
“Narinig ko sa meeting na sabi pa ni Ka Elian. Kasi siya iyong nandun sa Regional Committee. Sabi niya, iyan ‘yong ipalabas ninyo sa Urban Committee na nagresearch sila. Pero sila talaga iyong may salarin eh.”
Monzon said that Booc, Nguho, and others were detached from their group because they were tasked to get supplies.
“Initusan sila ng kumander namin na magkuha ng supply. Sa maalala ko lang noong pag detach, eh kahit ayaw ng mga kasamahan ko na idetach, sila Chad Booc. Kasi hindi mo maiiwasan pag may military operations, talagang may encounter na mangyayari. But ilang araw nalaman din naming na namatay na si Chad Booc.”
Through his relatives, Monzon surrendered to authorities in Mati City on March 15, 2022. (PIAXI, Michael Uy)
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