A group of parents expressed dismay after the UP administration played ignorant to the ongoing recruitment of the terrorist group CPP-NPA-NDF in their campus.
Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa pointed out the increasing number of students being recruited by the terrorist group CPP-NPA-NDF.
The senator expressed his concern during a hearing of the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs on Tuesday.
According to the Philippine National Police (PNP), from 2014 to the present, more than a hundred students have been deceived by the terrorist communist group.
Of this number, 33 died in operations, 42 were arrested, and over 90 surrendered.
The hearing also identified the schools, colleges, and universities where the rebel group thrives, institutions that are not safe for unsuspecting youth, including the University of the Philippines.
“102 schools or learning institutions ranging from elementary, and high school to college or universities have been identified where recruitment activities happened.”
“Here are the 23 schools out of 102 that have more than one recruitment activity.”
“First on the list is Putian National High School. We also have UP Diliman, PUP Manila.”
“Second is UP Diliman, Mr. Chair, PUP Manila, UP Manila, UP Tacloban, Dr. Louise Ibaracia National High School, Hacienda Intal Elementary, UP Cebu, UP Los Baños, UP Clark, UP Baguio, Bicol University, De La Salle University, Ateneo De Davao,” according to PCol. Randy Araceo, Acting Executive Officer for Directorate for Operations, PNP.
When Senator Dela Rosa asked the UP administration why recruitment mostly happens on their campuses, this was their response.
“But why is the problem persisting on your campuses?”
“Why is it always the case? If you have seen the report of the PNP, almost all UP campuses are affected by recruitment. Many have died in encounters. Recently, there was even a lawyer who just passed the bar, right?”
“If you do not consider this a problem, then we are hopeless. We cannot solve a problem that you do not recognize as a problem. First, let me ask you, sir, do you consider this a problem?” Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.
“If indeed the allegations were true, Senator, then it would be a problem,” Jerwin Agpaoa, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, UP Diliman, said.
“It’s true! It’s true! Confirmed by records. Many of your students have died after going to the mountains,” said Sen. Dela Rosa.
Yakap ng Magulang Movement wants UP admin dissolved
Meanwhile, the Yakap ng Magulang Movement is dismayed by UP’s dismissal of the issue.
Relissa Lucena, founder of Yakap ng Magulang, claims that UP is hiding the truth about the terrorist group’s recruitment of innocent and unfortunate children on their campuses.
“It’s disappointing because the UP administration, like their vice chancellor and even the admin, cannot mention the CPP-NPA-NDF despite the fact that those in front of them are from UP itself, graduates of UP.”
“They are trying to hide the truth that there is recruitment. It’s really, sir, if you look at it, we all say the same thing repeatedly,” according to Relissa Lucena, Founder, Yakap ng Magulang.
For Lucena, the UP administration should be dissolved to stop illegal recruitment and save the children from the hands of the terrorist group.
“For me, sir, the entire UP administration should be replaced. UP is highly infiltrated. Even they are turning the truth into lies. They keep saying this is a mere allegation. We are here, all of us testifying, even UP students. This is not an allegation because they did it inside the school, and even some teachers are involved,” Lucena added.
Senator Bato has ordered the Commission on Higher Education to investigate the issue to identify the teachers leading the recruitment.
“They are the ones pushing their students to become rebels. We need to identify these teachers so we can file charges against them,” Sen. Dela Rosa said.
In the end, while the senator admits that the CPP-NPA-NDF has gained strength during the administration, he says he will not be deterred and will continue the investigation to hold those accountable.
