A new generation of revolutionaries is emerging in Eastern Visayas amid great challenges in advancing the people’s democratic revolution. Kabataang Makabayan (KM) in the region continues its efforts to expand membership and establish chapters wherever possible. KM members in the region include Ka Terry, Ka Patrick, Ka Roan, and Ka Owen.

Ka Terry is a college student. She and fellow students face the administration’s harassment, red-tagging, and military surveillance. Despite this, she knows they will overcome the challenges of organizing. “With proper preparation, coordination, and mindset, we can overcome the obstacles in organizing,” she said.

Perceptive student Ka Patrick became aware of the social situation and joined mass struggles. His recruitment into KM made him realize that joining the group was his next logical step. His lack of experience made it difficult for Ka Patrick to organize his fellow youth. “We still mobilize actions despite the difficulty,” he said.

The state’s fascism awakened Ka Roan to the path of revolutionary struggle. He was moved as he witnessed how state agents arrested ordinary people fighting for their rights. He became a KM member and dedicated his full time to organizing. They persevered in organizing despite the prevailing fear among many students.

“We resolutely stood our ground and never abandoned our assigned task,” he said. They reportedly gained momentum by gathering good practices from elsewhere and adapting them to their own experience.

Ka Owen became aware of social ills after hearing about the military’s killing of Chad Booc, a volunteer teacher for Mindanao Lumads. With a deeper understanding of the state’s intense fascism, he recently expressed his desire to join a unit of the New People’s Army (NPA).

He draws inspiration from his relative who is a member of the people’s army. “The NPA is my idol. I’ve met many young people who are now army members, and I understand their reason. The state itself drives the people to take up arms. This is the only way to change the system,” he said.

Adapted from Larab, a revolutionary newspaper in Eastern Visayas.