SAN JOSE, Antique – Residents in this province have been warned by the Antique Police Provincial Office about being recruited by the members Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).
APPO deputy director for operations Lieutenant Colonel Norby Escobar said that they received a report regarding the recruitment of minors by the CPP-NPA in the municipality of Sibalom, Antique.
“Parents have to safeguard their children because minors could easily be persuaded by the NPA,” he said on April 24.
On April 18, five minors who were
captured by the Philippine Army (PA) during an encounter with 40 CPP-NPA rebels
in Barangay Cabalaunan, Miag-ao, Iloilo were from Sibalom.
According to Escobar, the minors purportedly asked permission from their
parents two weeks ago to go to Barangay Bulalakaw – mountainous part in the
border of Antique and Iloilo – to collect honey they would sell.
However, based on the report of the PA 61st Infantry Battalion, the minors were
captured after a 35-minute encounter with the NPA, Escobar added.
In a statement, the PA said the rebels they encountered in Miagao are believed to be members of the Suyak Platoon.
For his part, Sibalom mayor Gian Carlo Occeña said in a statement that his municipality condemns the CPP-NPA’s act of terrorism. It does only threaten his residents but also other municipalities as well.
“For years, we try to preserve the peace and feeling of security enjoyed by our people. We will not allow those to be destroyed,” said Occeña.
“Let us be vigilant, take care of our young and shield them from their (rebels) influence,” he added.(With a report from PNA/PN)
