Congratulations
to the brave FALINTIL and to all children who contributed to protect FALINTIL’s
life.
Husi Aquelina Pereira*
Today,
20th of August, in commemoration of FALINTIL day, this brief article reflects
children’s active participation in the struggle for the independence of
Timor-Leste. The involvement of children in the resistance front made an
enormous contribution that we shall not forget as people and a nation. Therefore,
in this historical day, we congratulate FALINTIL and commend Timorese as a
whole particularly the child-combatants.
From
1975 countless number of Timorese aimed for independence where virtually
everyone ranging from children to adults rose up against invasion of Indonesian
army. During the occupation, Timorese people totally lived in darkness. From a
small portion of Timorese who were educated, some were unfortunately utilized
by the invaders to divide the people and rule. However, through political
convergence, Timorese nationalists unified their strength in order to resist
the invasion.
I
personally would like to share a story about children’s involvement during our
long struggle for independence. In such a tough moment, many children provided
crucial contribution and even offered their own lives for the freedom of the
country. Countless numbers of children were killed either in the bush or in
urban areas whilst providing critical tasks in support of FALINTIL. A lot of
them also disappeared and until now the whereabouts are lamentably unknown. The
extent of such works came with serious difficulty as they required braveness,
suffering and death. When we heard of unfortunate fates of our friends who
ended up at the hands of our enemies and were brutally tortured and killed, we
were greatly terrified. Nevertheless, that did not diminish our courage and
willingness to continue our service as an integral part of the Timorese
resistance against the illegal occupation of Indonesia.
A
lot of Timorese children worked with FALINTIL as well as the clandestine
network. These children played key roles particularly serving as ears and eyes
of both FALINTIL and clandestine network to watch closely any movement of
Indonesian army and its collaborators. In rural areas, children took on the
roles as couriers which were vital in terms of bridging clandestine movement
and FALINTIL. For instance, many children and I were in close contact with the
FALINTIL as couriers especially in the provision of key information as well as
material supplies to FALINTIL. In those tough moments when Indonesian
army had close supervision of suspicious activities of young and adult people,
the children were the viable alternative to carry out or transmit any message
from the hierarchy of FALINTIL. To some extent this process significantly
contributed to our development as nationalists and revolutionaries. Moreover,
we did not only substitute the roles of the adults as a lot of us were also
able to organize other Timorese to get involved in the resistance movement. This
was done through the creation of various groups that become a heart of key
information circulation to FALINTIL, clandestine and diplomatic front.
As
a member of OSF (Organisasão da Sagrada Familia) - a reserve nucleus of
FALINTIL, even though at a very young age, I was with a FALINTIL commander Eli
Foho Rai Boot well-known as L-7 - who is the founding father of OSF. We mainly
did the work of the organization in urban areas which was extremely difficult
as most activities were closely watched by Indonesian army and its
collaborator. Despite such hardship, we managed to mobilize our fellow women,
young and the old to actively participate in the struggle for independence.
In
many instances, a lot of young girls offered themselves to the enemy in an
effort to deviate their attention in order to save the lives of FALINTIL who
were in danger. Such is a fact that can hardly be believed by many people of
today. Many girls sacrificed themselves in compliance to the order of FALINTIL
commanders that said “you must take care of us otherwise our death would mean
that you will be abandoned when our independence comes into being”. There are
many other facts that I have not mentioned in this brief article. However,
scores of such incidents are covered in the report of CAVR –“Chega’! I suggest
that everyone including current politicians to refer to the said report. Besides,
the events can also be confirmed with various victims who suffered considerable
consequences in the struggle for independence.
Those
children are all grown up now and a lot have become parents of many kids. Sadly,
their past sacrifices are unrecognized and not even a brief mention is made at
any historical event of the country. Today, many of us live in misery because
of our limited knowledge and also due to the current discriminatory system that
marginalized us even though we may possess the same ability as anyone else. Is
it fair if we also claim that we have our rights? The state that we persistently
defended and contributed to its formation can give justice to our lives as
human beings? During the struggle, many of our families lived under serious
threats; they were denied of any possibility for economic development which
would have helped them to develop a better future. The current scholarships are
often put under rigorous criteria without being considerate of any especial
condition. To our disadvantage that is obviously a continuous attempt to keep
us behind. Besides, prevalent presence of corruption within the scholarships
often promotes only families and cronies of those who are in leadership. Our
rights are continuously denied similar to our grandparents during the period of
colonialism. We demand for a fair treatment. This is because we want to
continuously contribute to the liberation of our people especially to promote
justice socio-economically and culturally.
With
this invaluable article, we call on to the leaders of this country that do not
deny us as former children who contributed significantly during 24-year period
of Indonesian occupation. We need to be considered as combatants of our
country. During the struggle, our guardians were the commanders of FALINTIL who
were in the frontline during the resistance. Unfortunately in post-independence
era, we have lost such guardians. The security protocols plus strict entry
access to their residence have made it difficult to allow our contact with
them. Regrettably many of them even cooperate with the opportunists to hold us
back from accessing any opportunity. However, it is worth a mention that a few
of them are still willing to defend the rights and interest of the ordinary
people.
During
our long struggle, it was not only the adults who suffered and died for this
country; not only the educated ones but equally the poor farmers and shepherds
who selflessly made massive contribution in terms of supporting FALINTIL and
clandestine movement. The state should rightfully honor our contribution and
child combatants should also be invited particularly at historical events of
the country. This will acknowledge our dedication, sacrifice and also
strengthen our courage to instill such important values to the young
generation.
Even
though this article might bear extensive complaints, the principal aim is to
encourage child-combatants to continue the development of Timor-Leste as a
shared work because this country was born out of our persistent struggle,
suffering and deaths. We shall not let this country ruled only by the elite
politicians but all of us including the new generation need to strive for
social and economic justice for every citizen.
We
have freed the country! Let us free the people.
The
struggle continues!
*Aquelina
Imaculada Pereira ho naran rezisténsia “Peregrina”
*In
collaboration with
Celestino
Gusmão
Prof.
Antero Benedito da Silva
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