THE leadership of the Army’s 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division (3ID) condemns and once again issued a strong call for the cessation of all recruitment activities of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) within schools.
This call comes after the recent discovery of recruitment materials believed to be circulated by the Kabataang Makabayan (KM) at West Visayas State University and the University of the Philippines – Visayas.
The 3ID expressed grave concern over the aggressive action by the CTG in distributing campaign and recruitment materials in the abovementioned campuses. Through deceptive propaganda and misinformation, these infiltration and recruitment efforts might lure and exploit, especially vulnerable students to eventually join the ranks of the New People’s Army.
“We recognize that the distribution of recruitment materials by this group in our schools represents a desperate attempt by the CTG to look for prospective cadres and leaders following the demise of their top and high-ranking leaders in recent encounters. Our students are particularly vulnerable to these deceptive tactics. We cannot afford that one or two of our students will again find their way to the mountains and waste their lives fighting for a futile cause. We will not allow this to happen,” said Major General Marion R Sison, Commander, 3ID.
Meanwhile, MGen. Sison urged all educational institutions in Panay Island to initiate actions to prevent CTG infiltration and recruitment activities within their premises. Investigations should be conducted to identify those responsible for distributing the CTG recruitment materials and to take appropriate administrative action if warranted.
This matter will also be brought to the attention of the RTF-ELCAC 6 for a more collaborated and coordinated inter-agency approach to prevent CTG recruitment of the youth.
“Our schools, serving as a second home to our students, must be safe havens, free from the insidious influence of terrorist groups. We urge our school officials to actively collaborate with the government forces in thwarting recruitment efforts by the CTG. The future and lives of our children and students are at stake. These recruitment activities must be stopped,” he stressed.
The 3ID Commander also conveyed his message for the students, emphasizing the loss of dreams and shattered lives that often result from such recruitment.
“I hope and pray that our youth will learn from the sad stories and often tragic experiences of those students who have been recruited and turned into NPA members. Most of them are now gone. Nawala ang mga pangarap nila at higit sa lahat nasira ang buhay nila ,” he ended.
Editor’s Note: This article has been sourced from the 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division of the Philippine Army Facebook Page.
