One of the computer encoders at the satellite office of the National Bureau of Investigation in the City of Lapu-Lapu was once a drug surrenderer.
Andrew Fundador, 33 years old, is among applicants of a plea-bargaining agreement and graduates of a community-based drug rehabilitation program.
With his job and physique today, no one would think he went through a miserable life after squandering his time with illegal drugs.
Andrew allowed GMA Regional TV Balitang Bisdak to show his photographs and agreed to an interview so he can tell his tale and inspire others still aspiring to come off clean and sober from drug dependence.
He was nabbed in August 2016 in a buy-bust operation. He spent two years and six months at the Lapu-Lapu City Jail, slumped in dejection being a person deprived of liberty.
It was in March 2019 when he got the chance to avail of a plea-bargaining agreement and put himself under a community-based drug rehab program of the local government.
He was part of Batch 4 who graduated in 2021.
Andrew made a vow, he said, while undergoing the rehab program, to wrestle it out with temptation.
He said he is not so much of a winner, but he did win this fight this time.
He turned to Bible study sessions, far from the lure of pot or crack sessions, which helped him ward off the strong desire to pick up things he decided to throw away – his vices.
When Andrew learned of a job opportunity as an encoder at the NBI satellite office in Lapu-Lapu City, he said he did not hesitate at all to file his application. He is confident because he is computer literate.
Today, he looks forward to celebrating his first year of keeping his job like a gem and his promise to be clean from illegal drugs for the rest of his life journey.
Andrew said it indeed takes persistence and sheer will to leave his past with drug use behind.
Some 549 graduates who are keeping decent day jobs have been products of the rehab program since 2019. However, it is a fact that some are not as successful or as strong-willed like Andrew.
Some could not help but bring themselves back to the lair, and so they ended up in jail once more.
Andrew said he takes care of his conviction the way he takes care of the blessed chance to redeem himself.
No blind man can ever guide another blind man; both stumble in the ditch. That is why he has to set an example to lead another surrenderer to embrace change and renewal.
