Today, he chairs Alyansang Nagkahiusa Alang sa Kalamboan Multi-Purpose Cooperative (ANAK MPC), a farmer-led group that has become a key support system for former rebels and local farmers.
What began as a decision to leave the armed struggle in 1994 has turned into a long-term effort to build sustainable livelihoods in his hometown.
His departure from the insurgency started in 1986 amid internal disputes. Accusations and mistrust spread within the movement, creating fear and uncertainty.
“Wala nata’y mahimo ani, musibat nata kay wala naman ta kasabot (There’s nothing more we can do here — we should leave because we no longer understand what’s going on),” he said.
By 1994, Duhaylungsod surrendered, driven largely by concern for a comrade he believed was unjustly treated.
After a brief stay in Manila, he returned to Mindanao and chose to pursue peace.
“Wala nakoy tinguha nga mobalik pa, ilabina kay tigulang napud ko. Akong awhagon, kung mahimo, kanang mga naa sa bukid nga mouli (I no longer have the desire to return, especially since I’m already old. I am calling on those who are still in the mountains — if possible, please come home),” Duhaylungsod said.
The foundation for ANAK MPC was laid in the late 1990s, when Duhaylungsod and a group of former rebels and farmers responded to the government’s call to form a cooperative in Calamba.
“Daghan mi, ug eager pud mi mosulod ug mo-organize og kooperatiba... gusto gyud mi matagaan og livelihood (There were many of us, and we were eager to join and organize a cooperative... we really wanted to be given a livelihood),” he said.
After attending seminars, the group officially registered ANAK MPC in 1999. Their initial goal was to purchase farmland. With government support, they bought land at P8,000 per hectare. Each of the 81 founding members also contributed P4,444 to acquire their first coconut plantation. They began with 8 hectares. Over time, ANAK MPC expanded to 15 hectares and now has 138 members.
Duhaylungsod said ANAK MPC received support from agencies such as the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA). DAR assisted in launching their poultry egg production and provided transportation for supplies such as rice hulls and poultry feed. CDA assisted them in registering their cooperative.
The cooperative now earns up to P40,000 per month. Earnings cover loan payments, caretaker salaries and expenses related to their quarry and poultry operations.
For Duhaylungsod, however, the cooperative’s influence goes beyond income.
“Gi-organize namo ang among coop nga mao gyuy mahimong adtoanan sa mga kaubanan nga gusto manaog. Mao gyud na ang among convincing system nga muuli sila (We organized our cooperative to serve as a place where our comrades who want to come down can go. That’s really our convincing system to encourage them to return),” he said.
To him, ANAK MPC is not just a livelihood effort. It serves as a mechanism for reintegration, demonstrating to others that returning from armed struggle is possible.
While operations have stabilized, Duhaylungsod said continued government assistance is still needed — not for the founders, but for future generations.
“Ang amo gyud number one concern is kining scholarship sa mga bata... mga anak ug mga apo. Syempre kay mga tigulang naman pud mi, ang scholarship nalang sa mga anak ug mga apo, ang among gihinaut nga makuha nga tabang sa gobyerno (Our number one concern is scholarships for the children... our sons, daughters and grandchildren),” he said.
After years spent in conflict and farming, Duhaylungsod hopes the next generation can focus on education and development.
He remains active in promoting peace. “Nalimot nako unsay kalihukan sa bukid. Wala nakoy tinguha nga mobalik pa (I’ve forgotten what life in the mountains was like. I have no desire to go back),” he said.
For Duhaylungsod, the real change began when he gave up armed struggle and focused on farming. Through ANAK MPC, he and others have created a way forward — not just by working the land, but by providing an example of what can follow after surrender. PIA
***Key takeawaysShift from armed struggle to peace
Juanito Duhaylungsod, a former rebel, left the mountains starting in 1986 due to internal disputes and mistrust within the insurgency, officially surrendering by 1994.
Cooperative role
The multipurpose cooperative, which Duhaylungsod chairs, was intentionally organized to serve as a “convincing system” and a reliable safe haven for former comrades who wished to surrender and return to civilian life.
Mission beyond income
Duhaylungsod sees the cooperative’s influence as extending beyond the monthly earnings. Its primary value is demonstrating that a successful, peaceful life and sustainable livelihood are possible after leaving the armed struggle.
Building sustainable livelihoods
ANAK MPC was officially registered in 1999 by 81 founding members (former rebels and farmers) who pooled funds to purchase their first 8-hectare coconut plantation. It has since grown to 15 hectares and 138 members, with operations in quarrying and poultry egg production, earning up to P40,000 per month.
Foundational and operational aid
The cooperative received crucial support from agencies like the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) for launching their poultry operations and the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) for registration and organization.
Focus on the next generation
As the founders age, Duhaylungsod stressed that their number one continuing concern and requested government assistance is scholarships for their children and grandchildren, ensuring the next generation has access to education and opportunity.
***Pathways to peaceFor decades, the Philippine government has maintained various programs aimed at encouraging individuals to abandon armed conflict and transition back to civilian life. These initiatives, broadly categorized as Rebel Returnee Programs since the 1990s and formalized under subsequent administrations, reflect the government’s commitment to achieving inclusive peace.
Key initiatives and goals
While the specific names and lead agencies have evolved — from the National Reconciliation and Development Program in the late 1980s to the current Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program — the fundamental goal remains the same: to provide former combatants with tangible means for sustainable social and economic reintegration.
The framework for these programs typically involves three critical components:
– Amnesty and security: Granting legal protection and ensuring physical security upon surrender.
– Immediate assistance: Providing financial aid, sometimes called “stipends” or “cash for firearms,” to cover immediate needs upon coming down from the mountains.
– Livelihood and reintegration: The most crucial phase, offering vocational training, educational assistance, access to housing programs and capital for starting micro-enterprises or joining cooperatives like the Alyansang Nagkahiusa Alang sa Kalamboan Multi-Purpose Cooperative (ANAK MPC).
The cooperative model
The success of organizations like ANAK MPC, which was registered in 1999 by a mix of former rebels and farmers, highlights the effectiveness of the cooperative model in this context. Rather than relying solely on individual grants, the cooperative structure offers:
– Social support: A built-in community network that combats isolation and mistrust.
– Shared risk: The ability to pool resources and access larger government and development grants.
– Sustainable livelihood: Focus on long-term agricultural and enterprise development, moving beyond temporary aid.
Ultimately, these government programs recognize that peace cannot be achieved through military means alone. They offer a pathway built on development, dialogue and the crucial promise of a second chance, directly linking national security with local economic opportunity.