From Rebel to Redeemed: The Journey of a Former Communist to a Life of Faith and Peace

In a quiet town once far removed from the conflicts of ideology and armed struggle, Felix, 60, a former New People's Army (NPA) cadre now lives a life of peace, faith, and service. His journey from armed rebellion to spiritual mission is not just a story of transformation but a testament to redemption.

Born into a devout Catholic family, his early years were steeped in traditional religious practices. He believed in a powerful God who intervenes in times of disaster. But as he grew older, his perception of God began to shift. “I believed there was a savior,” he recalls, “but I thought He had favorites. I questioned why others were left in poverty and suffering while some lived in abundance. I felt abandoned, and eventually, I developed resentment toward Jesus Christ.”

Even with a stable job, he struggled to see the relevance of religion in his life. That spiritual void was filled when he encountered the NPA. Drawn in by their ideology and promises of justice, equality, and reform, he found a sense of purpose in their revolutionary mission. He embraced Marxism-Leninism-Maoism and swallowed the godless communist ideology, though not without inner conflict.

Poverty and oppression 

“I believed the people's war would succeed,” he said. “For nearly two decades, I trained myself and others, enduring hardship and sacrifice for the cause.”

But the deeper Felix got into the movement, the more disillusioned he became. From 1996 to 2004, he witnessed firsthand the stark inequality within the leadership of the CPP-NPA. While preaching about justice, some high-ranking cadres lived in luxury, refused accountability, and mirrored the very oppressive systems they vowed to destroy.

“This shattered my belief in the cause,” he admits. “I began to ask: If they act like this without power, what happens if they seize national control? I feared the working class would suffer even more.”

In 2005, after much inner turmoil, Felix made a courageous decision: to leave the movement. It wasn’t easy. The comrades he once led saw him as a father figure. But his longing for peace, for family, and for true meaning outweighed the pull of the revolution.

“I looked far into the distance and saw the direction I needed to go: toward my beloved wife and two children.”

Felix and his family fled to San Marcelino, Isabela, where they hoped to live quietly and anonymously. But isolation brought its own challenges. With no relatives, no friends, and a haunting past, he turned to the only one he thought might still listen—God.

“I prayed,” he shares. “I asked Him to have mercy on me and help me.”

A week later, members of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) visited and invited him to their church. He saw this as a divine response. He was baptized into INC in 2008 and became an active member and deacon for 14 years. Yet something still felt missing.

For spiritual growth

In 2017, Felix channeled his journey into purpose, founding an organization of former rebels dedicated to helping others like him turn away from violence. Their mission was clear: guide ex-combatants so they never return to the battlefield.

In 2021, he and his group attended a Former Rebels Summit sponsored by the Adventist World Radio (AWR) and the 203rd Infantry Brigade. The gathering was a turning point.

“There, we committed ourselves to unity in the spirit of peace, livelihood, and salvation.”

His faith deepened through Bible study. In 2022, he made another life-changing decision — he was baptized into the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Today, he serves as a missionary under the Mindoro Island Mission (MIM).

“We’ve found a faith within the SDA Church that we never discovered elsewhere,” he says with a calm conviction. “Even death, which I once feared, I now entrust to the will of God.”

“AWR and MIM have been a tremendous help to former rebels,” he adds. “They are among the leading groups providing support, not just in terms of livelihood and personal needs, but most especially in our spiritual growth.”

Through their outreach and guidance, Felix and many other former rebels have found not just a new path in life, but a renewed sense of identity, hope, and faith. Working together with the mission, the former rebels association in Mindoro provides reintegration to the communities of Mangyan once plagued by the communist rebels.  

“One of my deepest desires is not just for my fellow former rebels and supporters to undergo deradicalization, but for them to truly come to know the Lord,” he shares with conviction. “Because returning to civilian life means nothing if they simply go back to the same kind of life they lived before — trapped in poverty, without strong faith, and without a real relationship with God.”

He believes that true reintegration is more than just laying down arms — it must also include spiritual transformation. For him, peace and purpose can only be found when hearts are turned toward God. His journey — from resentment to rebellion, from disillusionment to faith — is a powerful reminder that redemption is always possible.

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God." — Ephesians 2:8